The Malabar imperial pigeon (D. cuprea) of India's Western Ghats was formerly considered conspecific, but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021.

The head, neck and underparts are vinous-grey with a contrasting white throat and brownish-maroon upperparts and wings, though the upper part of the body can be duller.

During the breeding display, calling birds puff up their throats considerably while singing and bow to potential mates.

Then the displaying bird engages in a vertical flight up from the perch, up 6 to 8 m (20 to 26 ft) into the air, and then glide back down with wings and tail widely spread.

The pigeon has a wide range in south-eastern Asia, where it occurs in Bangladesh,[4] Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.