[2] It and the purplish-backed quail-dove (Zentrygon lawrencii) of Central America were previously considered conspecific.

Juveniles are darker all over with cinnamon edges to the upperparts' feathers and buff bars on the breast.

No details of its diet have been published but it probably feeds on fruit, seeds, and invertebrates found in leaf litter.

[3] The only documented Tuxtla quail-dove nest was a loosely constructed platform supported by bamboo shoots; it contained one egg.

[3] The IUCN has assessed the Tuxtla quail-dove as Endangered due to its very small and fragmented range that has undergone almost complete deforestation.