Barred across chest and streaked lengthwise on the breast. White spots on back. Thier vocalization, hooting, is higher pitched than that of the Great Horned Owl. Typically found in relatively heavy, mature woods, varying from upland forests to lowland swamps. Suitable nesting holes are nessary for breeding.
Open areas are often close by for hunting.
Oppurtunistic hunters that will take most any available food sources ranging from small mammals and birds, to snakes and insects. A seminocturnal to nocturnal hunter, although they will hunt during the day if they have a brood of young to feed. Often not found in suitable habitat where they are displaced by the larger Great Horned Owl. They prefer to reuse nesting sites. Fairly long life spans up to 10 years in the wild and 23 years in captivity.