Large, heavy pigeon with a long tail. Adult is mostly gray above with a purplish gray head and breast, and a gray belly. Yellow bill with dark tip. Dark eye with red orbital ring. White collar with an iridescent greenish sheen on nape below collar. Gray back and wings with large, dark gray wingtips. The combination of a gray rump, charcoal-gray band across the base of the tail, and the paler gray outer half of the tail account for this species' name. Yellow legs and feet. Juvenile similar to adult, except has grayer breast and lacks white collar and greenish sheen below collar.

Length: 37 (cm) Wingspan: 66 (cm)

Voice:

Muffled, hooting: whoo whoo whoo, or who whooo, who whooo.

Habitat:

Tall coniferous forests.

Behavior:

Often forms large gregarious flocks. Regularly visits platform feeders. Roosts in dense conifers, but often seen perched atop trees. Often observed taking off from perch, circling a couple of times while fanning tail and flapping wings, then gliding and returning to the same perch.

Feeding:

Diet consists of seeds, nuts, acorns, berries and occasionally grain.