It frequents a wide variety of habitats from the lowlands up to 1,600 m, chiefly primary or secondary evergreen forest, but also open, deciduous dipterocarp forest, bamboo, and agricultural fields or overgrown cultivation, particularly in close proximity to forest. Recent records from deciduous dipterocarp forest in Cambodia indicate an association with riverine corridors of bamboo forest (J. Bird in litt. 2007). Some records also originate from small forested islands, mangrove swamps and other coastal habitats. It is mainly frugivorous, although seeds and grain form important dietary components in some areas. Its breeding range and seasonal movements are poorly understood, but it is considered to undergo local migrations (C. Robson in litt. 2020), and in places appears to be semi-nomadic, perhaps in response to food availability.

Columba punicea is locally distributed across its broad range, which encompasses parts of northern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam (BirdLife International 2001). It appears to have been locally abundant in the early 20th century, but has declined markedly in many areas. Scattered recent records indicate that it now only occurs rarely and erratically throughout its range, although a roosting flock of 174 individuals was recorded at Don Mamuang, Thailand in 2002 (D. Wilson in litt. 2002). There are no recent records from China, where it was previously recorded on Hainan Island and in south-east Tibet, and it has occurred as a vagrant in Peninsular Malaysia. In Vietnam it is very rare and local with small numbers recently reported from Mang Den/Kon Plong, Kontum Province in 2010 and from magrove forest at Ho Tram, approx 100 km south-east of Ho Chi Minh City, in 2011 (R. Craik in litt. 2012). However, large flocks (over 90 individuals) were reported in the past from near Da Lat Pleateau (C. Robson in litt. 2012, 2020), whilst regarded as uncommon but resident on some islands in Bai Tu Lam Bay (S. Mahood in litt. 2012), and seen across mangroves in the Red River Delta despite no previous breeding observations nearby (C. Robson in litt. 2020). In Cambodia most records come from southern Mondolkiri and an individuals site in Preah Vihear (Goes 2013). In India, it is a rare resident in Odisha and northeast India, with most recent records from the Similipal hills. Here birds have been encountered throughout the year with the highest count involving a flock of 17 birds in the Upper Barakamura range (M. Nair in litt. 2012). Since 2013 there have been multiple reports of this species in Ekamra Kanan, Bhubaneswar, and elsewhere in Odisha (Panda 2013, Sreenivasan 2014, P. M. Ukil in litt. 2016). Further observations have been made in Central to Western Myanmar as well as Southern Myanmar and Thailand (eBird 2020), however due to the varying dispersal of this species, the seasonal occurrences here are precautionarily considered to be non-breeding individuals.   

Conservation Actions Underway
Although it has been recorded from numerous protected areas, their contribution to its conservation is not known, especially given its seasonal and nomadic movements. Indeed, site-based conservation strategies are unlikely to be successful unless populations are able to follow seasonal patterns of fruit-ripening within secure protected sites.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys, particularly in Odisha, India; Myanmar; and areas where it is known to have occurred in reasonable numbers at certain times of year (e.g. Ho Tuyen Lam in December [C. Robson in litt. 2016]), to clarify its current distribution, seasonal movements and population status. Conduct research into its ecological requirements and the relative effects of various threats operating across its range. Identify and protect, where appropriate, sites supporting key populations. Promote improved management and establish/increase buffer zones around protected areas supporting key populations. Enforce strict hunting controls within all protected areas and devise awareness campaigns to reduce pigeon hunting wherever this is possible.