[3] The rufescent screech owl has three subspecies, the nominate M. i. ingens, M. i. venezuelanus, and M. i. columbianus.

[5] The nominate subspecies of rufescent screech owl is found on the eastern slope of the Andes from southwestern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to central Bolivia.

M. i. venezuelanus is found in northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela; its elevational range has not been determined.

M. columbianus is found on the western slope of the Andes from west central Colombia into northwestern Ecuador.

Its diet is assumed to be larger insects and spiders, and at least one small vertebrate has been noted as prey.

The rufescent screech owl's primary (territorial) song is "a series of flute-like, staccato notes, which begins softly on a lower pitch, shortly rising to a higher, steadily maintained pitch".

A second song, believed to be used in courtship, is "a 2-3 weak introductory notes followed by a short series of hoots all on the same pitch".