The type specimen was collected by Charles Hose in 1891 on Mount Dulit in northern Sarawak, at an elevation of about 600 m, with the bird being taken "in a small jungle hut into which it had flown in the dusk evidently attracted by the light".

[3][4] The common name reflects the type locality, while the specific epithet honours German ornithologist Ernst Hartert.

[3][5] Its preferred habitat is lower montane forest of both primary and secondary growth, at an elevation of 300 to 1500 m above sea level.

[5] At Mount Dulit it replaces the more widespread large frogmouth altitudinally, the latter being found at lower levels.

It is restricted to the Bornean Mountains Endemic Bird Area and is threatened by habitat loss through logging and agricultural development.