It is endemic to the Philippines found only on East Visayas, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

The Camiguin bulbul (H. catarmanensis) of Camiguin Sur was formerly considered a subspecies, but more recent studies have found it to be a distinct species [3] The yellowish bulbul is differntiated by its olive green cap, lighter plummage, smaller size and through its call.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature recognizes the Yellowish bulbul as two separate species.

It lists the Yellowish bulbul as Least-concern species as it remains common throughout most of its range across Mindanao and East Visayas.

[5] The Sulu bulbul is assessed as Near-threatened species due it is relatively small range.