This owl is recorded in patches of Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil. The study describes its habitat in Alagoas and southern Pernambuco and perches from the understory to the canopy.
The paper describes red and brown color morphs. Plumage varies, and color alone may not reliably separate this owl from every close relative.
It perches at different heights, from the understory to the canopy, in remaining patches of Atlantic Forest.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.