Marsh Owl

Afrikaans name: Vlei-uil

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

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

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 116

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 51

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 46

The Owls of Southern Africa - Author: Alan Kemp and Simon Calburn - Published: 1987 - Page: 122

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 147

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 25

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 19

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

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 - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 248

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 192

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 76

Newman s 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

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 174

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 216

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 112

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 166

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 148

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 42

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 124

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 130

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 69

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 104

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 236

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 254

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 146

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 154

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 85

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 119

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 119

A Delight of Owls - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1984 - Page: 40

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 157

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds