Small, with short ear tufts and a dark bill. Gray overall, with dark vertical streaks and fine dark barring. Yellow eyes often hard to see during the day.
© David Wade | Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 08, 2017Red morph is bright reddish brown with darker vertical streaks and some white feathering on the underparts.
© Adam Betuel | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, January 04, 2017Extremely well camouflaged; often presses its plumage against tree bark to blend in. Nocturnal; typically sleeps during the day and is very hard to find.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 23, 2013Not all videos have soundBrown morph is grayish brown overall with dark streaks and some white feathering on the underparts. Some birds have a pale bill.
© Nick Dorian | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 20, 2017The McCall's form in southern Texas and northern Mexico has a pale bill, and lacks a red morph.
© Tim Avery | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 13, 2017Small owl with ear tufts and yellow eyes. Nests and roosts in tree cavities and sometimes in nest boxes.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, December 01, 1998Not all videos have soundJuveniles are fluffy and gray with very fine barring throughout.
© Judy Fairchild | Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, May 09, 2017Nests in cavities, including artificial nest boxes.
© Tyler Ficker | Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 06, 2017Typically sleeps during the day with feathers pressed against edge of roost hole to create excellent camouflage. Red morph is rich reddish brown with vertical streaks.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, April 01, 1999Not all videos have soundUsually occurs in well-wooded habitats, and roosts in cavities.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 08, 2012Juveniles are fluffy and finely barred. They often move from nest to nearby branches before they can fly (termed "branching").
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 17, 2014Not all videos have sound