In adults, the head, neck, and breast are whitish or blue-grey, the underparts are pale bluish-grey, the upperparts are chestnut-brown, and the outer wings are black.

Breeding occurs throughout the year and varies in different parts of its range, seemingly peaking from October to December on New Guinea.

Nests are flat or slightly concave platforms made of sticks, moss, roots, and ferns, and contain a single white egg.

The species is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its sufficiently large range and stable population.

[10] The subspecies recognised by the IOU are:[9] The great cuckoo-dove is a large and long-tailed pigeon, with a length of 47.5–52.5 cm (18.7–20.7 in) and a weight of 208–305 g (7.3–10.8 oz).

Individuals of the nominate subspecies vary clinally (in a gradient across their geographic distribution) in appearance, being darkest in the north and palest in the southwest of their range.

[5][10] The great cuckoo-dove is easily recognised by its large size and distinctive appearance, with the pale underparts contrasting strongly with the richly-coloured upperparts.

However, it may still be confused with the "slender-billed cuckoo dove",[10] a species complex that includes the Amboyna and Sultan's cuckoo-doves.

In the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, it is found on Buru, Ambon, Seram, Obi, Bacan, Kasiruta, Kayoa, Halmahera, and Morotai.

On New Guinea, it occurs across most of the mainland, excluding the Trans-Fly lowlands, as well as the satellite islands of Waigeo, Salawati, Misool, Yapen, Biak, Kumamba, Kairiru, Manam, Karkar, Goodenough, and Fergusson.

Defending fruit sources is an uncommon foraging behaviour as it occurs only in certain conditions, requiring intermediate crop sizes and moderate rates of visitation by other birds.

On New Guinea, breeding seems to occur throughout the year, with nests or young having been observed from March to August and from October to December, and is thought to peak in the latter period.

Nests are flat or slightly concave platforms made of sticks, moss, roots, and ferns, lined with fine plant material.

[18] The great cuckoo-dove is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its sufficiently large range and stable population.

Its population size has not been estimated; although it is thought to be generally uncommon throughout its range, it can be locally common in hilly and mountainous areas.

[1] It is moderately common in Papua New Guinea and has a density of 4–6 birds per square kilometre in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, although it can be uncommon in the northeast of the country.