The Latin name mirus, meaning unusual or striking, is a reference to the Mindanao scops owl’s bold markings. The owl’s greyish-brown head and upperparts are heavily marked with blackish streaks and blotches, and the whitish underparts are interlaced with a criss-crossed pattern of fine and heavy black lines. At the back of the neck a row of white spots form a distinct collar, and the whitish feathers at the shoulders form two prominent white lines. The ear tufts are reasonably small and whitish, the eyes are brownish-yellow and the bill is greenish-grey. The Mindanao scops owl’s call is said to resemble that of a pigeon or dove, and consists of two soft double notes.