Characterization: Small species measuring about 16.5cm in length and 31cm in wingspan. The male is much smaller than the female, and both have small heads and eyes compared to other owls; they have two blotches on their neck that resemble eyes, at times enhanced by a broad white "eyebrow," forming its false "occipital face."

Distribution: Throughout Brazil and the United States and from Mexico to Argentina and northern Chile.

Habitat: Edges of forests on land and in floodplains, savannas, and fields with trees.

Habits: Species active both during the day and night, it flies quickly and with agility, nearly as if whispering, resembling a tiny hawk.

Diet: Carnivorous, this bird feeds on other birds, such as sparrows, tanagers and, sporadically, on hummingbirds, as well as frogs, lizards, and small snakes.

Breeding: It lays 2-5 eggs in other birds' abandoned nests, in trees hollows or holes in ground termite mounds.

In the UFRA area: This species of bird is considered rare in the San Francisco Sugarmill because it was seen only once in all the surveys carried out. Its habitat was native forests.