The Red-whiskered Bulbul measures 20cm - 22cm, and is not easily mistaken for any other species of bird in Australia. It has a pointed black crest, white cheeks, brown back, reddish under tail coverts and a long white-tipped tail. The red whisker mark, from which it gets its name, is located below the eye, but is not always easy to see. Both male and female birds are similar in plumage, while young birds are duller with a greyish-black crown.

Red-whiskered Bulbuls are not timid around humans, perching prominently on the top of bushes or on power lines. The call, a characteristic descending musical whistle, often indicates a bird's presence long before it is seen.

Red-whiskered Bulbuls feed on a variety of native and introduced fruits, insects and flower buds. Groups of up to 50 or so birds may gather around a food source, although smaller groups of three to five birds are more common. Birds chatter noisily as they actively feed among the dense bushes.

Nesting takes place from August to March, and two or three broods may be reared in a season. Both birds incubate the eggs and care for the young birds. A typical clutch consists of two to four pale pink eggs, streaked and spotted with shades of red.

Red-whiskered Bulbuls build an open cup nest of rootlets, bark and leaves, lined with soft fibre. The nest is usually placed in a low tree fork.