The cinnamon screech owl is a small screech owl, 23 to 24 cm (9.1 to 9.4 in) long and weighing 88 to 119 g (3.1 to 4.2 oz). Adults have has a warm brown facial disc with a blackish border and the rest of the face is buffy. They have dark brown eyes, a blue-gray bill, and medium-length "ear" tufts. Their upperparts are cinnamon brown with fine darker brown and buffy vermiculation. The wings and tail are cinnamon as well with brownish and blackis bars. The underparts are a rich cinnamon buff with some warm brown wavy marks on the throat and chest. No juvenile has been described.
According to the International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and the Clements taxonomy, the cinnamon screech owl is only known to occur on the eastern slope of the Andes from southern Ecuador into northern Peru. However, the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society (AOS/SACC) also places it in Colombia. It may also occur further south in Peru. It inhabits humid montane forest at elevations between 1,650 and 2,225 m (5,413 and 7,300 ft) in Ecuador and 1,700 and 2,450 m (5,580 and 8,040 ft) in Peru.
The cinnamon screech owl is nocturnal, like most others of its genus. Almost nothing is known about its hunting practices or diet, though the latter includes large arthropods and probably small vertebrates.
The cinnamon screech owl's breeding season, nest, and eggs have not been described. It is assumed to nest in tree cavities like others of its genus.
The IUCN has assessed the cinnamon screech owl as being of Least Concern. However, "As is true of all species that are restricted for humid forest, Cinnamon Screech-Owl is vulnerable to habitat loss, degradation, and forest fragmentation."
