[1] The red-eyed dove was formally described by the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell in 1835 from birds seen in the Taranta Mountains of Eritrea.

[5] The red-eyed dove is a largish, stocky pigeon, typically 30 cm (12 in) in length.

The head and underparts are dark vinous-pink, shading to pale grey on the face.

Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults and have scalloping on the body feathers.

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