[1][2] It is found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

The scaly-breasted bulbul was originally described in the genus Ixos and later moved to Pycnonotus.

[3] Pycnonotus was found to be polyphyletic in recent molecular phylogenetic studies and three bulbul species, including the scaly-breasted bulbul, moved to Ixodia.

[2][4] Some authorities use Ixidia for the genus name because Ixodia was thought to be preoccupied.