It is unmistakable with brown upperparts, head and upper breast and buff underparts. White "spectacles" around their yellow eyes give them their name. A juvenile has the adult markings in reverse - a white head with black mask, and may take several years from hatching to attain full adult plumage.

They occupy a variety of habitats from thick, humid rain forests and mangroves, to open woodlands. The call is a deep hooting BOO Boo boo boo boo becoming softer and faster.Spectacled owls have been observed as high as 4,000 feet (1,220 m), but they mostly live at lower elevations.

Nesting can occur from January to August. Clutch size is normally two white eggs, with incubation lasting about 36 days. Approximately six to eight weeks after they hatch, fledglings are ready to take their first flight. Both parents continue to take care of their young after they leave the nest.