Dark shaft streaks on breast feathers give overall dark breasted appearance.
Whiskers from which its name implies are longer and more distinct than other species of screech owls from which it might be confused. Eastern is almost identical except for its larger size, yellow eyes and less bold shaft streaks on breast feathers. Voice is the best way to distinguish these species. Generally in Pine-Oak woodlands of high elevation or dense stands of oaks. Range in the United States limited to southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.