Medium sized owl with prominent ear tufts (larger than the long eared owl). Large white facial disk and almost blackish bill. Basically yellowish-brown, mixed with grey and matt black, its warm buff underside strongly striped with dark brown. its back is also striped, but with broader, dark strips.

Deciduous lowland forest and woods. Open and semi-open grassland with trees. Food: Small mammals, birds, reptiles and large insects.

Mexico, Central and South America Status: Not globally threatened, but generally rare.