The Rusty-barred Owl inhabits Atlantic Forest in southern and southeastern Brazil and nearby parts of Paraguay and Argentina. It is nocturnal and hunts small animals in forest.
It has a pale facial disc and fine reddish-brown and black barring across the body; the eyes are dark brown.
It is nocturnal and takes small mammals, birds, lizards, amphibians, and insects. It may nest in a tree cavity.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.