The brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) is a medium-sized bulbul native to eastern Asia. It is extremely common within the northern parts of its range and can be found from southern Sakhalin to the northern Philippines. Taxonomy and systematics The brown-eared bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. Later, some authorities placed it in the genus Ixos and then the genus Microscelis, before being re-classified to Hypsipetes in 2010. Alternate names for the brown-eared bulbul include the Asian brown-eared bulbul, chestnut-eared bulbul, and Eurasian brown-eared bulbul. Subspecies Twelve subspecies are currently recognized: Japanese brown-eared bulbul (H. a. amaurotis) – (Temminck, 1830): Also named the Japanese chestnut-eared bulbul. Found on southern Sakhalin, Japan and South Korea H. a. matchiae – (Momiyama, 1923): Found on southern Kyushu, Japan H. a. ogawae – Hartert, 1907: Found on northern Ryukyu Islands H. a. pryeri – Stejneger, 1887: Found on central Ryukyu Islands H. a. stejnegeri – Hartert, 1907: Found on southern Ryukyu Islands H. a. squamiceps – (Kittlitz, 1830): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Oriolus. Found on the Bonin Islands. H. a. magnirostris – Hartert, 1905: Found on the Volcano Islands H. a. borodinonis – (Kuroda, 1923): Found on the Borodino Islands Taiwan brown-eared bulbul (H. a. nagamichii) – Rand & Deignan, 1960: Also named the Taiwan chestnut-eared bulbul. Found on Taiwan and Orchid Island (Lanyu Island). H. a. batanensis – Mearns, 1907: Found on Batan, Ivuhos, Sabtang, Babuyan and Claro (extreme northern Philippines) H. a. fugensis – Ogilvie-Grant, 1895: Found on Dalupiri, Calayan and Fuga Island (north of Luzon in northern Philippines) H. a. camiguinensis – McGregor, 1907: Found on Camiguin Island (north of Luzon in northern Philippines) Description Reaching a length of about , brown-eared bulbuls are grayish-brown, with brown cheeks (the "brown ears" of the common name) and a long tail. While they prefer forested areas, they readily adapt to urban and rural environments, and their noisy squeaking calls are a familiar sound in most areas of Japan. One author described the song of the brown-eared bulbul as "one of the most unattractive noises made by any bird". Distribution and habitat The brown-eared bulbul is common in a very large range that includes the Russian Far East (including Sakhalin), northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, south to Taiwan and the Babuyan and Batanes island chains in the north of the Philippines. Historically, brown-eared bulbuls were migratory