The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical Asia to Indonesia, and north as far as Japan. A few insular species occur on the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean. There are 166 species in 32 genera. While different species are found in a wide range of habitats, the African species are predominantly found in rainforest, whereas Asian bulbuls are predominantly found in more open areas.
The yellow-browed bulbul, or golden-browed bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found in the forests of southern India and Sri Lanka. The yellow-browed bulbul is mainly yellow on the underside and olive above with a distinct yellow brow. They are easily located by their loud calls but tend to skulk within foliage below the forest canopy. While its taxonomic classification has changed over time, it is currently the sole species within the monotypic genus Acritillas which is closely related to Hemixos.
The snoring rail, also known as the Celebes rail or Platen's rail, is a large flightless rail and the only member of the genus Aramidopsis. The species is endemic to Indonesia, and it is found exclusively in dense vegetation in wet areas of Sulawesi and nearby Buton. The rail has grey underparts, a white chin, brown wings and a rufous patch on the hind-neck. The sexes are similar, but the female has a brighter neck patch and a differently coloured bill and iris. The typical call is the snoring: ee-orrrr sound that gives the bird its English name.
The Seram golden bulbul is a species of songbird in the family Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to the Moluccas. Until recently, it was considered conspecific with the northern golden bulbul and the Buru golden bulbul. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Alophoixus is a genus of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae found in south-eastern Asia.
Criniger is a genus of songbirds in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. The species of Criniger are found in western and central Africa.
The eastern bearded greenbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found from south-eastern Nigeria to Central African Republic, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo and extreme north-western Angola. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Hypsipetes is a genus of bulbuls, songbirds in the family Pycnonotidae. Most of its species occur in tropical forests around the Indian Ocean. But while the genus is quite diverse in the Madagascar region at the western end of its range it does not reach the African mainland.
The Javan bulbul is a songbird species in the bulbul family. It is the type species of the genus Ixos. It is endemic to the island of Java in Indonesia in its natural habitat of subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
The yellowish bulbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on East Visayas, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The birds of the Sulu archipelago are sometimes considered a separate species called the Sulu bulbul. This species is declining due to habitat loss.
Ixos is a genus of passerine birds in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae.
The sulphur-bellied bulbul is a songbird species in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to Palawan (Philippines). Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.
The Philippine bulbul is a songbird species in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae.
The streak-breasted bulbul is a songbird species in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae.
The straw-headed bulbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, plantations, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
The Sula golden bulbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to Sula Island in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The Buru golden bulbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family. It is endemic to Buru Island. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The Togian golden bulbul is a species of passerine bird in the bulbul family Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to the Togian Islands in Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The Banggai golden bulbul is a species of passerine bird in the bulbul family Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to Banggai Island in Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
There are six species of bird named northern golden bulbul that were split into distinct species:
