Their feathers are dark brown barred with white and lighter brown. There is more extensive white barring on the nape and the head. This owl has no ear tufts. The call is not the usual owl hoot, but a rapid sequence of 3-4 grunting notes followed by 10-12 high pitched nasal notes.

This small owl is effected by habitat alteration and destruction. Unfortunately little is known about its numbers in the wild as no survey has been carried out.

Chaco owls are strictly nocturnal (active at night). Very little is known about their breeding habits in the wild.

They roost during the day close to the trunk of the tree or in a tree hole if there is one available.