Facial disk gray and surrounded by black border. Ventrally, a heavily marked owl with dark brown horizontal barring and vertical streaking, creating a uniform dark coloration. Dorsally, same as ventrally, but with distinct white spotting on shoulders.
Second call is a trill.
Begins breeding in March. Nests in natural cavities or woodpecker holes. Clutch size three to seven. Incubation approximately 29 days. Young fledge at approximately 30 days.