Tyto capensis
Classified as vulnerable in South Africa, the African Grass Owl has lost valuable habitat through industrialisation and urbanisation. Grass Owls closely resemble the more common Barn Owl, Tyto alba, but are larger, have darker brown colouring and a rounder facial disk. Grass Owls also have very specific habitat requirements, whilst the more adaptable Barn Owl is the most widely distributed owl species in the world.

The contact call of the Grass Owl is a repeated high ‘clicking’ sound, particularly whilst flying. The territorial call is a shrill screech as well as a frog-like croaking noise. Young owls make a hissing noise when threatened.

Grass owls occur individually, in pairs or in family groups and prefer patches of tall grass, sedges or weeds, where they can safely roost and nest. They often appear in treeless areas, mainly in marshes and vleis, but also peripherally amongst dense ground cover in scattered thorn scrub and even low fynbos. The species will sometimes hunt in much drier and more open areas near the roost.

Grass owls are nocturnal and feed mostly on small rodents and birds, preferring the Vlei Rat when available. Frogs are mostly left alone - even when in abundant supply.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Working Group runs a project near Springs in Gauteng that addresses the high incidence of owl mortalities along the N17 highway in that area. Most affected are the Marsh Owl Asio capensis and the African Grass Owl. The project is working with the local farmers to conserve areas of their land for these birds, and with various transport companies, in an attempt to reduce the impact that transport trucks have on owls. The concept of ‘owl restaurants’ is also being tested to lure rodents away from the road, thereby moving the owls to safer hunting grounds.