The spectacled owl is a medium sized owl, standing 16-to-19 inches tall. The plumage is mostly dark brown, with a yellowish belly, a white patch on the neck front and a dark brown belt across the chest. White "spectacles" around the yellow eyes give the bird its name. The juvenile which I posted before, has adult markings in reverse, a white head with black mask, and may take several years from hatching to attain full adult plumage. Usually nocturnal, the bird can be active on dull days. Using a branch to perch on and scan the area, the bird drops with a swift pounce onto located prey. Insects are snatched from foliage Vocalizations consist of a series of knocking or tapping sounds with a popping effect, each successive note lower and weaker, with a quickened rhythm as the series progresses. The female also has a hawk-like scream, which sounds something like a steam whistle.