[3][4] The subtropical pygmy owl's specific epithet honors Theodore A.

(Ted) Parker III, "who for over twenty years accumulated an unparalleled knowledge of Neotropical birds and graciously shared his vast expertise with all".

[3] The subtropical pygmy owl is about 14 to 14.5 cm (5.5 to 5.7 in) long; three males had an average weight of 61.6 g (2.17 oz).

The back and rump are dark brown and the tail blackish with spotty white bands.

[4] The subtropical pygmy owl is found on the east slope of the Andes from far southwestern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to central Bolivia.