Grey-hued birds, even their males generally lack iridescent display plumage, although the present species has some coppery gloss on the nape.

[2] It is a resident breeder from southern Mexico south to Bolivia and northern Argentina and on Tobago and Trinidad, although it is very localised on the latter island.

[3][4][5][6] The pale-vented pigeon is 30–32 cm long and weighs normally 230–250 g. Adult males have a mainly dull purple head, breast and upperpart plumage, with copper glossing on the nape and a whitish throat.

The pale-vented pigeon is common at forest edges, riverbanks, and other partially open areas with some trees.

Its flight is high, fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.