Medium sized owl, lacking ear tufts. It has dark brown eyes, and mottled brown and white coloring. The back is brown with white spots. Facial disk is pale brown, surrounded by a dark brown ring of feathers. The bill is horn colored to light yellow.
Claws are dark brown to black.
Legs and toes are covered by buff colored feathers. Sexes mostly similar. Listing the owl under the Endangered Species Act would require the Forest Service to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on activities that may affect the owl. It would also prohibit the taking of spotted owls on private lands. More generally, a listing would require Fish and Wildlife to adopt an owl recovery plan.