They have black and tan bars on its wings and a very pale beak, feathered legs, and dark brown eyes.

Like all Tyto owls, it has a heart-shaped facial disk with brown buff and a white bordering.

The owl uses its long legs to penetrate dense ground cover and seize its prey.

Eastern grass owls are considered "least concern" globally, primarily because of their wide distribution.

Within Australia, Tyto longimembris is considered vulnerable on the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995).