Medium sized owl, with relatively long legs, and heart shaped facial and dark eyes. The upper parts are grey, mixed with golden brown spots. Underside pale or white with black spots on female. In flight its very long wings are obvious, its wing span is about 90cm. It is usually a nocturnal hunter, though it may hunt by day in the winter.

Prefers open lowlands, particularly areas including rough grassland,heath and marsh land. In the British Isles usually select from one of three types of nest site: the insides of buildings, large tree cavities and rock cavities. The owl's plumage has very little oil and is therefore easily waterlogged, so in areas that are predominately wet - such as Devon - 95% of nest sites are in buildings and in dryer areas - such as Suffolk - 70% nest in trees

Worldwide in temperate or warm climates. Totally absent from cold climates.