This pigeon died out late in the 19th century as a result of deforestation, hunting, and predation by introduced rats and cats.

The upper parts of the pigeon's body were greyish-black with iridescence except on wing and tail.

Scapulars and remaining mantle glossed golden green with bronze reflections; wing coverts with dark turquoise green suffused with deep blue.

The uppertail of the pigeon coverts broadly tipped with golden green.

The last specimen of the Bonin wood pigeon was collected in the forests of Nakodo-Jima, Japan, on September 15, 1889.