The bird may be easily recognized by the unique white tips on its crests and by its deep 'whooping' sounds made while calling.

The Victoria crowned pigeon is a deep blue-grey colour with a small, black mask.

In the western species, the crown is more scraggly and hair-like, the chest is a uniform blue-gray and not maroon, and a less distinct wing-bar is present.

[4][6] Like other crowned pigeons, this species makes a loud clapping sound when it takes flight.

The nominate subspecies is markedly smaller, with a wing chord measurement of 31.6–33.2 cm (12.4–13.1 in), with less robust legs and feet and darker overall plumage.

[4] The Victoria crowned pigeon is distributed in the lowland and swamp forests of northern New Guinea and surrounding islands.

Though typically found at or near sea level, occasionally birds of this species may venture up in the hills to an elevation up to about 3,000 feet.

After being disturbed, they may remain on their perch for a considerable time engaging in contact calls and flicking their tails.

In the wild, this species tends to be shier than the western crowned pigeon, but can still occasionally be quietly approached.

In these interactions, the pigeons puff up their chests and repeatedly raise their wings as if preparing to strike their opponent.

The female usually lays a single white egg in a well-built tree nest of stems, sticks, and palm leaves.