Unmistakable in flight, this medium-large, square-tailed dove has conspicuous white patches on the upper wing. Adult has pale, sandy gray-brown head, body and wings; slightly darker on upperparts than underparts. Pale buffy-pinkish wash on breast. Red iris with pale blue orbital ring. Dark bill. Black crescent bordering lower part of auriculars. Distinctive, narrow patch of white visible along lower edge of folded wing. Darker gray wingtips. Sandy grayish-brown uppertail and black undertail with pale tip. Reddish legs. In flight: white crescent-shaped patch on upper-wing contrasts with slaty-gray flight feathers. Rump is medium gray, contrasting with darker gray tail feathers. Tip of tail shows subterminal black and terminal white bands, broken in the middle by olive-brown central rectrices. Juvenile similar to adult, except paler head and pale edging to feathers on wing.

Length: 29 (cm) Wingspan: 48 (cm)

Voice:

Variations of coo: who pooooo-poo cooo.

Habitat:

Desert, fields, riparian, agricultural and suburban areas and scrubby habitat.

Behavior:

Often found in large flocks. May nest in colonies or in pairs.

Feeding:

Diet consists of fruit, seeds, grain and acorns.