This also known as the Hawaiian Owl and is endemic to Hawaii. It was flying all over the islands of Hawaii long before the first arrival of the Polynesians. The Owl is one of the various na 'aumakua (ancestral spirits) in Hawaiian culture, and considered very sacred. Unfortunately, it is now on the "Endangered List"; they lay their eggs on the ground and are destroyed largely by the introduced Small Asian Mongoose, of which I saw many, other predators, and land development. I understand they were commonly seen on the Island of Oahu previously, but only a few, if any, are to be found there today.

It hunts by day, just as all Short-eared Owls elsewhere in the world do.