The biggest pigeon in North America, measuring 13 to 16 in long and weighing 7.9–18.2 oz. The head and underparts have a faint pink cast, especially in the adult male; the belly is nearly white. This species is relatively quiet for a pigeon. Its voice is low-pitched and owl-like, often in two-syllable calls that rise and then fall (huu-ooh) with even spacing between calls. It also makes a variety of harsh squawking sounds for a variety of reasons. It builds a rudimentary platform nest out of twigs, in which it lays one or two eggs. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks, sometimes over 50 birds, and often becomes nomadic, following the acorn crop or moving to lower altitudes or other areas outside its breeding range.
They commonly congregate at and drink from mineral springs, although it is not fully understood why.
