The Red Vented Bulbul (Linnaeus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerines. It is included in the list of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.

It is resident breeder across the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka extending east to Burma and parts of Tibet. It has been introduced in many other parts of the world and has established itself in the wild on several Pacific islands including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Hawaii. This is a bird of dry scrub, open forest, plains and cultivated lands.In its native range it is rarely found in mature forests.

Red Vented Bulbuls feed on fruits, petals of flowers, nectar, insects and occasionally geckos. They have also been seen feeding on the leaves. The Red Vented Bulbul is easily identified by its short crest giving the head a squarish appearance. It is about 20 cm in length, with a long tail . The body is dark brown with a scaly pattern while the head is darker or black. The rump is white while the vent is red. The black tail is tipped in white.

The breeding season is from June to September. Red Vented Bulbuls build their nests in bushes at a height of around 2-3 m (7-10 ft) two or three eggs is a typical clutch. Nests are occasionally built inside houses or in a hole in a mud bank.

The typical call has been transcribed as ginger beer but a number of sharp single note calls likened as pick are also produced. Their alarm calls are usually responded to and heeded by many other species of bird.

The Red Vented Bulbul was among the first animals other than humans that was found to be incapable of synthesizing vitamin C.