It builds a stick nest in a tree, often an acacia, and lays two cream-colored eggs.

Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general, and it tends to stay quite low.

Black-billed wood dove is a small plump pigeon, typically 20 cm in length.

The forehead, crown and nape are bluish grey, fading to whitish on the face.

Sexes are similar, but immatures are duller than adults, scaly below, and lack the wing spots.