Facial disk present and corresponds to the color phase. Ventrally, heavily mottled gray. Dorsally, mottled gray with distinct rusty colored shoulder spots, creating a line from the shoulder down across the side of the wing. However, both of these species have yellow eyes, lack of rusty shoulder patch, and are larger. 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. Very rarely, small mammals may be eaten. The first Montana nest record was found by a woodcutter in 1986. Click on any of the following different kinds of owls to learn more about them.