[3] The Jamaican owl was previously considered the only member of the genus Pseudoscops, but phylogenetic analysis has reclassified it within Asio.

[4][3] The Jamaican owl is 27 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in) long; one specimen of unstated sex weighed 335 g (11.8 oz).

This medium-sized owl has long ear tufts, dark brown eyes, and a rufous facial disk rimmed in black-flecked white.

It is primarily a bird of coastal and lowland areas, but can be found as high as 600 m (2,000 ft) of elevation in the mountains.

Adult Jamaican owls make a "[h]igh, quivering hoot and guttural growl".