True to its name, tends to be found in the upper reaches of forested hills and mountains. Olive-green overall, with lighter orange-buff to grayish underparts (depending on subspecies), and a streaky gray throat. Crested head, similar size, and pale throat can cause it to superficially resemble Chestnut Bulbul in poor lighting, but Mountain Bulbul has a longer-billed and paler-faced appearance. Large flocks are loud and easily detected as they fly overhead, giving sharp, repetitive, echoing calls, which can be likened to “zyi-zya” or “zya-zya”. Song is a prolonged, repetitive series of call notes.