The reddish brown wing coverts spotted with white, the black bill and the bare red patches around the eye are diagnostic; the legs are red. The only similar pigeon in the region is African olive-pigeon, which is larger and darker, and has bright yellow (not red) bare eye patches and legs.
Juvenile lacks red on the face.
Mountain ranges, rocky terrain, coastal cliffs and cities.
A deep, booming 'hooo-hooo-hooo' and a softer 'coocoo-coocoo'.