Males and females look alike and are predominantly buff-brown with darker brown streaks. The belly is paler with bold streaking and the tail feathers are finely barred. Their eyes are a deep orange, surrounded by golden-buff coloured facial disk feathers, and the hooked bill is blackish. The legs and feet are feathered. Long-eared Owls are nocturnal and rarely seen in the daytime. The best time to see them is in the winter, when you may stumble across them roosting in a bush or tree.

The Long-eared Owl's prey includes small mammals, like mice and voles, and small birds.

Long-eared Owls breed in woodland and often nest in an old crow's nest. The eggs are laid on alternate days. The female incubates the eggs. Only the hen feeds the young with food brought by the male. If food is in short supply, the parents feed the oldest.