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Marsh Owl

Asio capensis (Smith, A 1834)

Related taxa:
Partial list of sound recordings available from xeno-canto & macaulaylibrary.org.
Species name Recordist Date Location Remarks Cat.nr.
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tony Archer 2022-04-06 City of Matlosana (near Hartbeesfontein), Southern DC, North West, Klerksdorp (South Africa) (1500 m) Fowl, call, life stage uncertain, sex uncertain -

Bird calling from well develop woody area in a ravine between two steep hills.

bird-seen:no

playback-used:no

713851
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tony Archer 2022-03-12 City of Matlosana (near Hartbeesfontein), Southern DC, North West, Klerksdorp (South Africa) (1400 m) adult, call, sex uncertain -

There is a number of deep sounds which may be a call from a female. Also one normal scratchy call.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

708210
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Jacob Lotz 2016-04-28 Kénitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Kénitra (Morocco) (3 m) call -

Noise reduction is used to remove the noise of the wind. 2 calling birds. 1 flying male and 1 female on the ground.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

315989
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tero Linjama 2012-04-25 Lac de Sidi Bourhaba, Kénitra (Morocco) (10 m) call -

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

164135
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tony Archer 2020-09-24 City of Matlosana, Southern DC, North West, Klerksdorp (South Africa) (1400 m) adult, begging call, call, juvenile -

There is immediately the close call of a begging juvenile Marsh Owl, also a Rufous-cheecked Nightjar in the background. Then a Spotted Thick-knee starts up its high call, followed later by the sctratchy call of an adult Marsh Owl. At 4,5, 13, 46 and 54 seconds there is a low hoot - probably a Spotted Eagle-owl.

bird-seen:no

playback-used:no

590842
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Albert de Jong 2014-03-12 Lagnafda, Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Kénitra (Morocco) (1 m) call -

Different (up to 5) individuals calling in the wet vegetation.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

182050
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Andrew Spencer 2015-09-26 Elandsvlei Wetland, Gauteng, South Africa, Gauteng (South Africa)   -   214791831
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis tingitanus Thijs Fijen 2014-03-12 Merja Zerga NP, Kénitra (Morocco) (0 m) song -

Exact location obscured

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

181902
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Olivier Hamerlynck 2021-11-08 Marracuene District, Marracuene, Maputo, Marracuene (Mozambique) (0 m) flight call, juvenile, sex uncertain -

A surprising sound in the high grass. Somewhat like a frog croaking but with also 'cat sounds' and some peeps. Exploration showed a probably immature African Grass Owl doing the croaks, frog sounds and cat sounds in flight and a probable juvenile (fledged with fluffy yellowish down still on the head). maybe it is the juvenile that did the peeps but impossible to confirm. The clicks are my camera taking fantastic shots of the two birds.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

685451
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Patrik Åberg 2015-11-03 Isalo National Park, Isalo, Fianarantsoa (Madagascar) (800 m) Flusched call -

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

294315
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tony Archer 2018-07-09 Klerksdorp, Southern DC, North West, Klerksdorp (South Africa) (1600 m) call -

Noise removed. Recorded over open grassland.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

424373
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Friedemann Arndt 2026-01-07 , Gharb - Chrarda - Béni Hssen (Morocco)   -   648874089
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis tingitanus Thijs Fijen 2014-03-12 Merja Zerga NP, Kénitra (Morocco) (0 m) song -

Exact location obscured

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

181901
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Jon Iratzagorria Garay 2025-11-10 , Toamasina (Madagascar)   -   645245591
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Lilli Jahn 2026-01-07 , Gharb - Chrarda - Béni Hssen (Morocco)   -   649500779
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis tingitanus Thijs Fijen 2014-03-12 Merja Zerga NP, Kénitra (Morocco) (0 m) song -

Exact location obscured

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

181903
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tony Archer 2021-03-09 City of Matlosana (near Klerksdorp), Southern DC, North West, Klerksdorp (South Africa) (1400 m) call -

Bird calling from long grass in marshy area.

bird-seen:no

playback-used:yes

627946
xeno-canto.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Cameron Blair 2023-06-25 , Gauteng (South Africa)   -   608850957
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Cameron Blair 2023-06-25 , Gauteng (South Africa)   -   608850958
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tim Boucher 2025-04-17 , Rift Valley (Kenya)   -   634281473
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Lilli Jahn 2026-01-07 , Gharb - Chrarda - Béni Hssen (Morocco)   -   650109736
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Gareth Hazell 2021-08-24 Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa, Gauteng (South Africa)   - Young Marsh Owls calling from long grass at Rietvlei Nature Reserve 363864501
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Juan van den Heever 2026-04-07 , Free State (South Africa)   -   654433564
macaulaylibrary.org
Marsh Owl - Asio capensis Tony Archer 2022-03-19 City of Matlosana (near Klerksdorp), Southern DC, North West, Klerksdorp (South Africa) (1400 m) Frogs, adult, call, sex uncertain -

This clip was recorded while it was still dark in a wetland area. It starts with normal Marsh Owl scratchy call. Then there is a call like a dog barking monotonously. I think this call from Marsh Owl on the ground.

bird-seen:no

playback-used:no

709668
xeno-canto.org
Note: a maximum of 20 records are shown. For more recordings of this species, as well as maps, sonograms, and advanced searches, please visit xeno-canto & macaulaylibrary.org.

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