It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Philippine hawk-owl, but was reclassified in 2012, as voice and other data suggested placement in a distinct species.

[3] EBird describes the bird as "A medium-sized owl of wooded areas on the island of Cebu.

[5] This species feeds on a diet of insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

It is also seen in clearings and plantations as long as there is nearby forest[5] The IUCN Red List classifies this bird as vulnerable with population estimates of 250 to 999 mature individuals with the belief that its population is on the lower estimate of that range.

The forests of Cebu continue to undergo hunting pressure and deforestation — further reducing what little there is remaining.

This has led to many extinctions of species such as Cebu warty pig and possibly the Cebu amethyst brown dove and subspecies extinctions of Philippine oriole, blackish cuckooshrike, bar-bellied cuckooshrike, Philippine hanging parrot and more.