It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The species is named for Johann Maria Hildebrandt, who collected the first specimens in Kenya.

The sexes differ markedly in their plumage and females are smaller than males.

Cabanis honoured Hildebrandt and coined the scientific name Francolinus (Scleroptera) hildebrandti.

[2][3] The species is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832.