It is a rare resident of Madagascar that was virtually unknown from its discovery in 1876 to its rediscovery by researchers from the World Wide Fund for Nature in 1993.

It is currently listed as vulnerable because of habitat loss, but recent studies have determined it may have a wider range than first believed, though further research in distribution and ecology is required.

Initial surveys restricted populations in the north and extreme east of the island.

They prefer to roost on rock ledges in ravines and cave entrances that are near degraded primary and secondary vegetation.

They feed mostly on small mammals of the families Tenrecidae and Muridae that are native to the island.

Prey species include insects, frogs, geckoes, tenrecs, afrosoricidians (Microgale spp., Oryzorictes hova), rodents (Eliurus spp., Rattus rattus), and the eastern rufous mouse lemur (Microcebus rufus).

In one sampling of pellets, Tsingy tufted-tailed rats were 50% of the total prey mass of red owls in Ankarana.

The greatest threat to the red owl has been the increasing rate of deforestation and fragmentation of its forest habitat.

By the 2000s, analysis of aerial photos showed a decrease in forest cover to 89,800 – 101,100 km2 with 90% accuracy.