It has been recorded only in primary or tall secondary forest, with most records from hills up to c.650 m, but also in lowlands and one recent record at 1,300 m (Dutson 2011). It appears to be principally a subcanopy species, often seen feeding on fruiting gaivou trees at Hauta (Buckingham et al. 1995, R. James in litt. 1999), but its long stout legs suggest that it is partly terrestrial, and is thought to be partially nomadic. It is not exclusively a ground feeder, and congregates in gaiwou trees (Lauraceae, possibly a Litsea species) when they are fruiting. Between 1995 and 1996, it was common to see up to five Yellow-legged Pigeons feeding in a fruiting gaiwou tree. While occasionally seen in lowland coastal forest, it was most frequently seen in hill forest between 400 and 600 m altitude in the Bauro area. Two nests have been observed in the Bauro and Kahua areas: one at 500 m was on the ground at the base of a mararu (Geniostoma papuana) tree, another at 720 m was on the ground on a small ledge above the steep gully bed (Mittermeier et al. in prep.)

Columba pallidiceps occurs in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It is known from New Ireland, New Britain, Bougainville, Choiseul, Vella Lavella, Tetepare, Ndai (= Gower), Nggela (= Florida), Ramos, Guadalcanal, Makira (= San Cristobal) and possibly Duke of York and Ugi (=Uki Ni Masi) and may occur on intervening islands. It has undergone a major decline since collections in the 1870s-1930s, and is now rare. Recent records are from New Britain (one collected in the 1960s, singles seen in 1995, 1997, 2003 and 2006, including singles in Poikili and Garu Wildlife Management Areas [Gilliard and LeCroy 1967, P. Gregory in litt. 1999, H. Kaestner in litt. 1999, G. Dutson in litt. 2003, K. D. Bishop in litt. 2006]), New Ireland (one in 1984 [Finch and McKean 1987]), Guadalcanal (one in 1987 [S. Blaber in litt. 1991]) and Makira (several records since 1990 [Buckingham et al. 1995, Richards 1996, R. James in litt. 1999]) and one record on Tetepare (Read 2013). Throughout its range, notably on New Britain, many months of searching have failed to record it. On Makira, it has been seen occasionally in lowland coastal forest, and most frequently seen in hill forest between 400 and 600m altitude in the Bauro area, but no more than five birds have been seen together (Buckingham et al. 1995, Mittermeier et al. in prep.). 

Conservation Actions Underway
A brief project to investigate the range and ecology of this species and the impact of hunting was undertaken at Hauta, Makira. The Hauta area was subject to a community conservation and development programme (R. James in litt. 1999).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct survey work to discover other populations, especially in areas already under discussion for protected status. Discuss its status and population trends with hunters. Monitor numbers seen and killed in Hauta. Lobby for tighter controls of commercial logging. Advocate creation of wildlife protection areas on major islands. Assess effects of community conservation programmes at Hauta. Extend public awareness programmes to coastal communities on Makira.