Large terrestrial dove found in a variety of habitats including forest edges, dense secondary growth, and mature forest understory. Skulking and easy to overlook, but can often be seen walking on quiet trails early and late in the day. In flight, white tips on outer tail feathers are often visible, like in similar White-tipped Dove, but with less extensive white. Also distinguished from that species by red, not blue skin around eye, and brighter more contrasting gray forehead. Frequently heard song is a mournful “hoop,” repeated every 5–10 seconds, particularly in the morning.