Characterization: Species measuring about 53cm in length; it is large, has a long, uncommon tail. Very long tail and legs. This bird has variable colors, but is recognizable for a rufous or white collar and a dark, crescent shaped spot in its auricular region. There are individuals with both pure white and uniformly rufous under portions of their wings, and their tails usually display three white bars.

Distribution: From Mexico to Argentina, throughout Brazil, Costa Rica to Bolivia and Paraguay.

Habitat: It lives in secondary forest areas and at the edge of dry or moist forests, but avoids going in to the dense forest.

Habits: This is a nocturnal species, and is almost always seen perched in trees. One of the most common owls in cities, urban parks, and farms.

Diet: This bird hunts large insects like grasshoppers and moths, especially near light poles, where they concentrate. Less frequent in their diet, but also important are small vertebrates like mice and frogs.

Breeding: This bird lays eggs from January to July, nesting in hollow trees. Termite holes, hollow brick pillars in the houses, holes in the roofs of abandoned houses, in woodpecker holes or in any safe cavity. Their nests are only occasionally made in the shape of a basket on trees.

In the UFRA area: This species of falcon was not spotted frequently and is considered rare, because it was only seen 1 time. This bird occurred most often in native forests.