The upper parts are a uniform bluish-grey or brownish-grey, the breast is grey and the belly orangey-buff.

It is generally shy, staying mainly on the ground and running away into the undergrowth when disturbed, but launching itself vigorously into the air with rapidly beating wings when it feels threatened.

It picks up fruit with its beak and hammers it on the ground to split it, exposing and eating the seeds.

A single white egg is laid and is incubated by both parents, the male routinely sitting during the daytime.

[3] The thick-billed ground pigeon is generally uncommon; in one area it was estimated that one bird was present in every 10 hectares (25 acres).