Pheasants and Partridges (Phasianidae)

Hildebrandt's Francolin (Francolinus hildebrandti) - HBW 2, p. 499

French: Francolin de Hildebrandt German: Hildebrandtfrankolin Spanish: Francolín de Hildebrandt

Taxonomy: Francolinus Hildebrandti Cabanis, 1878, Voi, Taita district, Kenya.
Forms superspecies with F. natalensis, with which occasional hybridization has been reported. Has at times been placed in genus Chaetopus, or alternatively in Notocolinus. Recently proposed reorganization of Francolinus places present species in genus Pternistis with 23 other species. Proposed races, such as johnstonii, not valid, as variation is clinal. Monotypic.

Distribution: C & W Kenya S through Tanzania to SE Zaire (Musosa), NE Zambia and Malawi.