The red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) is a species of bird found in the native range of Asia. This includes southern India, Pakistan, Burma, southern China, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced to non-native lands like the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand as well as many Pacific islands including Fiji, Hawaii, Samoa, and Tonga. Their distribution is still varied and in some countries, these introduced birds could not survive. Red-vented bulbuls live in scrub habitats or open forests and have around eight sub-species. They are a close relatives of the red-whiskered bulbul and belong to the same family.
The current population of red-vented bulbuls is unknown, but their numbers as well as distribution range is steadily increasing. This means that the Pycnonotus cafer species is not in any immediate danger.
The red-vented bulbul is easily identified by its short black crest that gives a squarish appearance. The body is dark brown with a scaly pattern and the black tail is tipped white. The Himalayan races have an extended black hood that goes up to the mid-breast. These birds have a reddish hue on the underside of the tail. They also have dark bill, eyes, and legs. Both of the sexes are similar in appearance. Red-vented bulbul eggs are pale pink with dark red spots. They also have a natural hybrid with white-cheeked bulbuls and have offspring with yellow-orange or pink vents.