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Marsh Owl

Asio capensis
Marsh Owls live in Madagascar and throughout Central and Southern Africa. Their primary habitats are (unsurprisingly) wetlands, marshes, and savanna areas.

These owls actually build their nests on the ground, hiding then without dense tufts of grass. There they lay up to three eggs each season, which are incubated by the mother. The hatchlings fledge after 35 days.

Because there are few perches in their habitats, these Owls hunt by soaring high above the plains and wetlands, spotting out they prey with their keen eyesight. Once targeted, they swoop in to retrieve their meal.

Overall, the Marsh Owls are listed as being of least concern. They have a very large range, and even though they are dropping number in a handful of local areas, there are still enough of them to be at low risk.

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa and Madagascar
Size : Length up to 14in (37cm), Wingspan up to 40in (1m)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae -- Genus : Asio -- Species : A. capensis

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