The species inhabits undisturbed areas of dry, coastal scrub-woodland up to 150 m elevation. In the south-west, its habitat comprises a closed canopy of leguminous, often thorny trees and shrubs c.3-6 m high, a sparse understorey of shrubs and saplings, sparse to absent ground-cover and much exposed soil (Blockstein 1991). The flowering tree Haematoxylum campechianum is dominant in these areas (Rusk 1992, Baptista et al. 2020). On the west coast, its habitat also includes some mixed deciduous and evergreen vegetation. It may have been always confined to xeric, coastal areas where climax vegetation was deciduous, seasonal forest and thorn woodland, but frequent natural disturbances (particularly hurricanes) kept the vegetation in a sub-climax condition (Rusk et al. 2008). This temporary occupation of ephemeral patches and recolonisation of developing patches may be the normal life history pattern.
Breeding is limited to the rainy season in the south-west, but is more extended on the less xeric west coast (Rusk 1998).

The species is endemic to Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. Historically, it was more widespread in coastal and possibly offshore islands, but may always have been rare (Devas 1943). The species is now confined to two areas in the southwest of the island in and around Mt Hartman National Park, and in the west in the Perseverance, Woodford and Beausejour area (Rusk 2017). These two strongholds are separated by 9 km of highly developed and urbanised areas (Rusk 2017). Occasionally, there are reports of single individuals outside of these areas, including on the east of the island (Rivera-Milán et al. 2015, Rusk 2017).

Conservation Actions Underway
Grenada Dove is the national bird of Grenada, has been a focus of environmental education in schools and ecotourism, and features on stamps. In 1996, parts of the Mt. Hartman and Perseverance estates were declared a national park and a protected area, respectively. A four-year GEF/WB funded Dry Forest Biodiversity Conservation Project based on stakeholder input was implemented from 2001-2006.  A recovery plan was drafted in 1998; in 2008, it was revised and updated for a further 10 years (Rusk et al. 2008). In 2011, critical habitat on crown lands at the Beausejour Estate (c.100 acres) received approval by the Government of Grenada cabinet for its protection and addition to the Perseverance Protected Area (Rusk 2011).
In 2010, dove habitats on private lands at Beausejour, Grenville Vale and Woodford were recommended for protection in the Conservation and Management Plan for Perseverance Protected/Beausejour Area. All areas currently occupied by doves are now IBAs and are included in Grenada's System Plan for Parks and Protected Areas. A legislative review to address private lands slated for protection has taken place in 2013. The Grenada Dove Conservation Programme (GDCP), with the Forestry and National Parks Department (FNDP), is collaborating with Birds Caribbean with the aim of developing eco-tourism activities in two of the key areas for the species (Mt. Hartman and Beausejour) (Anon. 2013). This collaboration has resulted in extensive interpretation at the Mt. Hartman Visitor Center, a school outreach programme and increased student site visitation.
Predator control measures at dove sites were initiated in 2014, with over 1,000 mongoose trapped and removed at Mt. Hartman in an 18 month period. The Grenada Dove Conservation Programme and Forestry and National Parks Department collaborated with the University of Chester (2014-2015) to study tropical dry forest changes (including dove habitat) using historical and current data, and to look at possible future changes using climate change modelling scenarios. The species is legally protected from hunting and egg-collecting, but these threats are insignificant.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out regular surveys to quantify the population size. Undertake research into the species's ecology, including home range size, habitat preferences and sex ratio (Bolton et al. 2015). Establish a long-term monitoring programme to determine population trends. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation.
Continue to protect remaining habitat. Formally protect important habitat that falls within private lands (Rusk 2011). Ensure that the Mt. Hartman National Park and Perseverance Reserve are effectively managed. Prevent developments within or near the Mt. Hartman National Park. Address other limiting factors and implement species management activities, including supplemental food and water. Provide alternatives to standing water sources such as 'leaky' hose water stations to reduce the risk of disease (Bolton et al. 2015). Eliminate, or at least mitigate, further habitat loss. Restore suitable habitat.
Continue and expand the control programmes to reduce mongoose, rat and cat presence in dove habitat and monitor and manage numbers of other introduced predators (Bolton et al. 2015). Erect a predator exclusion fence around Mt. Hartman National Park.
Consider establishing a a captive breeding programme, with the aim to reintroduce new subpopulations.
Develop incentives and regulations for the protection of suitable habitat on private residential lots in the south-west adjacent to Mt. Hartman, and Beausejour and Woodford on the west coast (B. L. Rusk unpubl. data).