The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as a near-threatened species.

The upperparts and wings are sooty-grey, with a grey panel on the primaries' bases.

The lower breast is sooty-grey, the belly and flanks are purplish-chestnut, and the vent is buffy-yellow.

The eye is bright red, and the beak and feet are pinkish or vinous-red.

[2] This pigeon is endemic to New Caledonia, on Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines.

[3] Hunting is only legal during the week-ends of April though, with a limit on the number of captures per day per hunter.