Scarce and often difficult to find, but sometimes perches conspicuously. Brown and white overall with yellow eyes and bill. Sometimes cocks tail up or sideways. Look for large black eye-spots on nape when facing away. Feeds mainly on small birds and mammals. Different populations give slightly different versions of a series of single or paired toots. Northern Saw-whet Owl is fairly similar in plumage, but never perches out in the open in daylight.