Dorsally, mottled gray with distinct rusty colored shoulder spots, creating a line from the shoulder down across the side of the wing. Eastern and western . However, both of these species have yellow eyes, lack of rusty shoulder patch, and are larger. Nesting probably begins in early June. Nests are located in woodpecker holes or natural cavities.
Clutch size is two to four.
Incubation is approximately 21 days. Young fledge in returning to Montana in mid-May. Almost entirely insects, primarily moths, beetles, crickets. Very rarely, small mammals may be eaten.