Northern White-faced Owls stand at about ten inches tall, comparable in size to Eastern Screech-Owls. They are distinguished by their prominent ear tufts and a striking white facial disc outlined by a thick black border. The body of the Northern White-Faced Owl is predominantly light gray-brown, adorned with delicate streaks and vermiculation’s – or markings resembling the tracks of worms. Their eyes, a mesmerizing feature, range from deep amber-yellow to a deep orange hue and have a “wuh-wuuuu” call; the first note is short while the second is drawn out and repeated every few seconds. 

When faced with a threat, these owls can either flare open its wings and puff up to appear larger, or it can compress its feathers, elongate its body, and narrow its eyes to thin slits, making it appear inanimate. This behavior is why the Northern White-faced Owl is sometimes referred to as the “Transformer” Owl. It is an interesting adaptation that allows the owl to blend into its surroundings and avoid being detected by predators.