Adult Description:
The forehead, eyebrows, and area in front of the eyes are white or pale tawny. The facial feathers are white or pale tawny. The feathers on the back, sides of the head, and wings are pale gray-brown. The crown, nape, and sides of the head have small white spots, forming a partial collar on the nape. Similar spots are present on the back and wing coverts. The median wing coverts have white tips. The flight feathers are barred with white. The tail feathers are barred with white; the central tail feathers have narrow bars, while the outer tail feathers have broader bars. The scapular feathers have wide white edges.
The chin, throat, anterior and sides of the neck are white, with a broad brown band below the neck. The remainder of the underparts are white or pale tawny with gray-brown barring. The barring is broad and dense on the breast and flanks; the barring is sparse or indistinct on the abdomen, thighs, and under tail coverts.
Juvenile Description:
The underparts are whiter than in adults, and the dark barring is replaced by longitudinal streaks.
Additional Characteristics:
- Eyes: Orange-yellow.
- Bill: Pale gray-green, the culmen slightly darker.
- Base of bill: Pale green.
- Feet: Pale yellow-green.
Measurements:
- Wing length: 143 – 158 mm
- Tail length: 65 – 74 mm
- Tarsus length: 26 – 28 mm
- Bill length: 20 – 22 mm
Distribution:
This owl species is distributed in Myanmar, Thailand, Southern China (Yunnan), and Indochina. In Vietnam, it has only been recorded in Son Tay, South Central Vietnam, and South Vietnam.