It averages 53 ounces in weight and may be up to four feet in total length. Coloration is gray-brown, with northern birds more markedly gray and southern birds more reddish. The underside is lighter in coloration, but the entire bird can blend into tree trunk coloration so as to be almost invisible. Tail and wing feathers are distinctly barred in dark slate gray to brown black. The facial rim is black with gray-buff fleckings and ear tufts are prominent.
Feathers extend down to the legs, sometimes to the talons.
This owl is distributed over most of North America. This owl prefers densely forested regions, but has adapted to urban neighborhoods as man has encroached on his lands. It also like marshy or swampy areas and open woodlands. Rabbits, quail, rats, mice, large fowl, small cats and dogs, snakes and amphibians are all part of his diet.