The facial disk is gray surrounded by black border. Ventrally, a heavily marked owl with dark brown horizontal barring and vertical streaking, creating a uniform dark coloration. Dirsally, same as ventrally, but with distinct white spotting on the shoulders. Eastern screech-owl is smaller and its various color morphs tend to be lighter. Primarily cottonwood bottoms, but may exist along fringes of coniferous forests where the two habitats overlap.
Second call is a trill.
Begins breeding in March. Nests in natural cavities or woodpecker holes. Clutch size 3 to 7 with an incubation period approximately 29 days. Young fledge at approximately 30 days. Probably a year round resident.