It is a medium-sized dove with an average length of 32 cm from tip of beak to tip of tail, with a wingspan of 47–55 cm. It is grey-buff to pinkish-grey overall, a little darker above than below, with a blue-grey under wing patch.  It has a black half-collar edged with white on its nape from which it gets its name. The short legs are red and the bill is black. The iris is red. They feed on insects and grain.

Their territories vary with the group size as well the presence of neighboring groups. Groups consist of a reproductive pair and other non-breeding members who may or may not be direct offspring or close relatives. The diet of the babblers includes a variety of invertebrates (mostly arthropods), small vertebrates (lizards, geckos, snakes) and plant material, like nectar, flowers, berries, leaves and seeds.         ''';

يتغذى على الحبوب والبذور التي يجدها على سطح الأرض. وتفضل هذه الطيور في غذائها الحبوب والقمح والحنطة السوداء.‏