It is found in central, eastern and south-eastern Africa.

The dark-capped bulbul was originally described in the genus Ixos.

[2] Three subspecies are recognized:[3] The dark-capped bulbul is mostly greyish brown above and whitish brown below, with a distinctive dark head and pointy crest on top of the head.

The underparts are grey-brown apart from white around the vent (yellow in P. t. tricolor).

It has a dark brown head and upperparts.