Marsh Owl
Afrikaans name: Vlei-uil
Asio capensis
The Marsh Owl is fairly common in some areas of the eastern half of South Africa. As its name suggests it is most commonly seen near marshy areas but may also be found in savanna and grassland.
It can sometimes be seen perched on a fence near a wetland habitat in the early hours of the day.
Marsh Owls feed on small birds, mammals and reptiles as well as insects which form the main part of their diet. It searches for food by flying low over the open grasslands and swooping down on a suitable prey item. It can sometimes be seen hunting during the day.
They make their nest in the grass and the female lays up to 6 eggs although 2 to 4 is the normal quantity. The chicks remain with their parents for about 3 months.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
---|---|---|
1st | 361 | Phasmaptynx capensis capensis |
2nd | 361 | Asio capensis |
3rd | 361 | Asio capensis |
4th | 361 | Asio capensis |
5th | 395 | Asio capensis |
6th | 395 | Asio capensis |
7th | 171 | Asio capensis |
Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
---|---|---|
1st | 361 | Marsh Owl |
2nd | 361 | Marsh Owl |
3rd | 361 | Marsh Owl |
4th | 361 | Marsh Owl |
5th | 395 | Marsh Owl |
6th | 395 | Marsh Owl |
7th | 171 | Marsh Owl |
Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
---|---|---|
1st | 361 | Vlei-uil |
2nd | 361 | Vlei-uil |
3rd | 361 | Vlei-uil |
4th | 361 | Vlei-uil |
5th | 395 | Vlei-uil |
6th | 395 | Vlei-uil |
7th | 171 | Vlei-uil |
References and further reading
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 46Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 51
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 116
The Owls of Southern Africa - Author: Alan Kemp and Simon Calburn - Published: 1987 - Page: 122
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 25
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 147
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 236
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 242
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 19
Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 268
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 341
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 258
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 345
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 192
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 248
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 76
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 216
Owls and Owling - Author: W. Tarboton & R. Erasmus - Published: 1998 - Page: 36
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 166
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 216
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 42
Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 148
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 112
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 130
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 124
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 69
Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 254
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 104
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 85
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 146
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 119
African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 154
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 119
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 157
A Delight of Owls - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1984 - Page: 40
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