The body feathers appear almost iridescent due to their elongated shape and hair-like texture.

The bill, orbital skin and legs are bluish-green and the iris is whitish.

The female is a dark green bird with bare parts resembling those of the male.

[3] The species' generic name comes from the Ancient Greek ptilon (feather) and pous (foot), while the specific epithet luteovirens is from the Latin luteus (orange-yellow), and virens (green), referring to its colour.

[4] The golden dove is endemic to the islands of Viti Levu, Ovalau, Beqa, Ngau and Waya.