The Cuban Pygmy-owl is endemic to Cuba where it appears to be quite common. It is found in a variety of forest habitats.

Upperparts are brown with whitish bars, these bars extending to the short tail. It has a tawny collar and two dark "false-eye" spots on the back of the neck as you can see in the second photo. Underparts are whitish with brown streaks. The eyes are yellow and the legs are feathered.