They applied the specific epithet loweryi in recognition of George H. Lowery, Jr., for "his influence upon us and upon neotropical ornithology".

[5] A few more specimens were collected in succeeding years, and the bird was audio recorded after capture in a mist net in 2002.

The study authors suggested restoring it to an earlier genus Taenioptynx and most taxonomic systems adopted the change.

The ruff's outer feathers are long and thin and project beyond the face, the feature which provides the species' English name.

[4][11][6] The original authors described the area at Abra Patricia as fog-shrouded and heavy with moss, bromeliads, epiphytes, and other vegetation above a forest floor with a thick layer of humus.

[4][6][8] Lane and Angulo suspect that the species may be more widespread than known because similar habitat is found elsewhere in the general region, and they suggest extensive surveys be made in new areas.

The principle threat is clearance of its habitat for timber, agriculture, and mining though as of 2018 "[h]abitat loss within the range has however been negligible over the past ten years, not causing any population declines".

[1] Lane and Angulo "suspect that the heart of the distribution of the Long-whiskered Owlet is likely to be protected...by the Aguaruna [indigenous community] and the sheer inhospitable geography" of the area.

[8] Several private protected areas such as Copallin, Hierba Buena-Allpayacu, and Abra Patricia-Alto Nieva have records of the species.