Photo: Josefito123 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Marsh Owl
Asio capensis
Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) — Owls of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 334 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Asio
- Species capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 334 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Marsh Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Marsh Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) is a species of bird in the Strigidae family, part of the order Strigiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 334 g, with a wing length of about 28.3 cm and a tail of around 14.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 7.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Marsh Owl?
The Marsh Owl is a large bird that weighs around 334 g.
Where does the Marsh Owl live?
The Marsh Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Marsh Owl belong to?
The Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Marsh Owl eat?
The Marsh Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Marsh Owl migrate?
The Marsh Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Marsh Owl endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Marsh Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Marsh Owl — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Marsh Owl's range?
The Marsh Owl has a mapped global range of about 7.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Strigidae
A field guide to the Strigidae family — 236 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.