Wings make a loud clapping sound when flushed. Polytypic. Length 14.5". Larger, with a longer tail than a rock pigeon; blue-gray on the upper parts with contrasting blackish gray flight feathers ...

This highly variable city pigeon is familiar to all urban dwellers ... iris orange to red; orbital skin blue-gray; bill grayish black; and feet dark red. Adult female: like male, but iridescence ...