There are six species of bird named northern golden bulbul that were split into distinct species: Sangihe golden bulbul, Hypsipetes platenae Togian golden bulbul, Hypsipetes aureus Banggai golden bulbul, Hypsipetes harterti Sula golden bulbul, Hypsipetes longirostris Halmahera golden bulbul, Hypsipetes chloris Obi golden bulbul, Hypsipetes lucasi