A medium-sized pale gray pigeon with a mauve cap, a yellow eye, and an iridescent bronze-green collar. In flight it shows a blue-gray rump, dark wing edges, and a dark banded tail. Pairs and small flocks are uncommon and local residents and nomads, restricted to cliffs and hills near the northern Somali coastline, preferring dry areas devoid of vegetation. Within Somali Pigeon’s range, the much darker and more heavily spotted Speckled Pigeon is expanding; smaller collared-doves all have a dark band on the hind-neck. Somali Pigeon’s vocalizations are poorly known but described as “wuk-wuk-wuk-ooooh” and other pigeon-like sounds.