A pair of nesting birds studied by Dickey in Ventura County, California, exhibited no fear or shyness and allowed him to come within five feet. He says the female contorted herself into every conceivable position while carefully preening each feather. There were periods even in the midst of her toilet when Morpheus overpowered her and she awoke with a start. Her movements were more gentle than those of the Horned Owl and lack of ear tufts gave a startling likeness to a lynx. In movements she suggests a parrot. The call was a low musical indrawn whistle Whee-e-e, more suitable from the throat of a wee plaintive flycatcher than from this great bird of prey. This was varied by a turkey-like chuckle and her hoot was so low it sounded like a dove, coo — coo — coo — coo. The male's reply was loud with a canine quality, — two long, two short notes — Whoo-whoo-who-who.

This is merely a darker form from the humid northwestern coast region.