Marsh Owl
Asio capensis
Fairly large, brown owl with tiny ear tufts. Found in marshes, cultivation, and grasslands, especially moist grasslands. Sometimes active well before dusk and well after dawn, especially on cloudy days. Not very vocal, but does give quiet creaking calls. Often found in similar habitats to Barn Owl, but much darker, especially on the back and chest. Generally silent in flight, whereas Barn Owl frequently gives loud screeches.
Identification
Medium-sized, dark brown with a pumpkin-shaped head with small 'ear' tufts. The facial disc is pale buff, with a distinct dark brown rim with buff speckles. There is a dark brown area around the eyes, which are also dark brown. Its ear-tufts are earth-brown and quite small, often not visible, and set near the centre of the forehead. The tail is dark brown, barred pale buff with a whitish tip. Tarsi are feathered pale tawny-buff and toes are covered with pale buffish plumes, leaving the dark brown tips bare. Claws are blackish.<p>Males are generally paler than females, and there is some individual variation in tone. Length is 31–38 cm, wing length is 284–380mm, tail length is 132–186mm, and weight is 225–485g.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Asio capensis
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1834)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Asio
Range and habitat
The marsh owl has a fragmented distribution. They are common in the grasslands of southern Africa, occurring in the northern regions of South Africa down to the province of the Eastern Cape. They are also found in Zimbabwe on the Mashonaland plateau, and in the Makgadikgadi lacustrine depression in Botswana.<p>They have also been recorded on the floodplains on the Namibian coast and in isolated populations in Morocco and Madagascar. The marsh owl's habitat preference is open grassland, marshlands and short scrub, typically near marshy grounds, vleis or dams. Marsh owls prefer to nest on the ground and they have also been observed leaving certain areas during drought-stricken times. Their preferred habitat tends to be vulnerable to destruction due to agriculture or overgrazing.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
Marsh owls are not listed as vulnerable or endangered, but their population is on the decline mainly due to loss of habitat through urbanization. Marsh owls commonly breed during the winter months when veld fires occur. They nest on the ground in habitat that typically includes marshes, savannas and grasslands. Farmers burn veld to stimulate the regrowth of vegetation for grazing, to prevent the encroachment of unwanted plants and weeds and to control ticks. Although veld fires are necessary for maintaining the grassland’s ecosystem, it should be limited to a 5-year cycle instead of an annual event. Irresponsible burning of veld robs wildlife of habitat and in the case of marsh owls, it has a huge impact on their breeding and population.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Palau Fantail
Rhipidura lepida
Small, with a long, often fanned tail. Mostly pale orange-red with a gleaming white throat and a black chest with gray sides. Note the small black eye mask. Mostly resident in forest, but sometimes forages in open scrub. Common vocalization is a soft whistle or raspy “me-EE-ow.”
Brown-backed Scrub-Robin
Cercotrichas hartlaubi
Pretty robin with a dark brown back, a boldly marked face, and an unstreaked gray chest. Found in broadleaf woodland, moist savanna, and lush cultivation. Shy bird that generally skulks in thick undergrowth except when perched up to sing. Song is a variable, musical series of whistles. Similar to Red-backed Scrub-Robin, but has two clean white wingbars, a darker brown back and crown, and a wider and bolder black band across the tail.
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