The Scaled Pigeon has a scaly pattern across much of its plumage. In Bolivia it is recorded mainly in humid and semi-humid forest below 1,000 m, often in the canopy.
It is about 27–29 cm long, with extensive scaly plumage and a pale belly.
It is often alone or in pairs in the canopy, where it may remain still for long periods. Flocks of up to about 100 have been recorded in the austral winter.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.