It belongs to a clade of small and rather plain species of Patagioenas with characteristic calls[2] that constitute the subgenus Oenoenas.

[2] The ruddy pigeon is 28 cm (11 in) long and weighs 170 g. It is unpatterned and mainly wine-purple in colour, becoming more rufous on the back.

The tail and primary flight feathers are dark brown, the bill is black, and the legs are purple-red.

[3] In Central America it is found in highland forest canopy and semi-open woodland from 1500 m (5000 ft) ASL to the timberline.

It builds a rudimentary platform nest out of twigs 5 m high in a small tree, and lays one white egg.