A very small owl with medium-long ear hair. There are no gender size differences for data. There is a uniform light brown or white color on the forehead and above the eyes. The reddish-brown crown has black axial markings and spots, and the dark yellow collar is narrow and almost invisible. Brown mantle with black axial stripes on the back and hips, forming irregular stripes (due to short lateral branches). The lower part of the mainly dark yellow is marked by thin white stripes. The eyes are bright yellow, the mouth is greenish yellow, the edges are dark brown, and the meninges are dirty. Tarsi has half-length feathers and the bare parts of its legs are white fleshy with long toes and gray claws. Undescribed juvenile.
A series of brief whining sounds are emitted at variable intervals of at least five seconds. The single whistle lasted less than a second and a half. Food and hunting have not been studied. It inhabits enclosed mountain forests above 870 m above sea level.
The status and distribution of endemic species in Central Mindoro. This type of owl is common in the local area but suffers habitat damage. It is listed as one of the vulnerable BirdLife International. Geographic variant monotype.
Similar species geographically separate mindanao Scops owls are more or less similar in size, but usually have brown eyes and shorter ear clusters. The alien Luzon Scops owl is overall larger, more clearly marked, and has longer ear clusters.