[1][2] It is found in Myanmar and north-western Thailand.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

It is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.

[1] The white-headed bulbul was previously placed in the monotypic genus Cerasophila (literally meaning "cherry-lover").

[3] Following recently molecular phylogenetic studies, it is now placed in the genus Hypsipetes.