A small owl endemic to Wetar Island, Indonesia. Gray and rufous forms occur. It was recorded in tropical forest and heard in eucalyptus woodland at 300 m, calling at night.
About 19–20 cm long, with short rounded ear-tufts. Gray and rufous morphs occur; the gray form is spotted and streaked, the rufous form streaked on reddish ground.
A 2008–2009 survey recorded it in forest and heard it in Eucalyptus urophylla woodland at 300 m. It occurred at seven of eleven sites and called at night and before dawn.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.