This small scops owl inhabits lower montane forest in the Philippines. It has a dark brown crown and ear-tufts, pale forehead, and orange-red eye rims.
It has a dark brown crown and ear-tufts, a pale forehead, and orange-red skin around the eyes. The account gives a length of about 20 cm.
It searches for insects at night in lower montane forest. It is seen alone or in pairs and is recorded nesting in tree holes.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.