It is most similar to that of the ground doves (Gallicolumba) or to a miniature version of the sternum of an imperial pigeon (Ducula).

This does not mean that there is any close relationship between this bird and the didine pigeons, only that both derived, independently, from the same Indo-Asiatic lineage, which became extinct millions of years ago.

In 1693, the bird was found foraging on the island, but nested only on offshore islets which the rats that had been introduced at some time in the 17th century had not yet reached.

They perch and build their nests upon trees; they are easily taken, being so tame, that we have had fifty about our table to pick up the melon seeds which we threw them, and they lik’d mightily.

We suppos’d ‘twas to avoid the persecution of rats, of which there are vast numbers in this Island...[2]Tafforet described its behaviour as follows: The turtle doves there [Rodrigues] are in great numbers, but on the mainland one sees very few, because they go to feed on the islets to the south, as do the parrots, and come to drink likewise on the mainland [Hume's translation].