Which owl have you seen?
African Grass owl
The African Grass Owl is a medium-sized owl found in grasslands, marshes, and wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa. They have a round head, heart-shaped facial disk, and long legs and toes, which help them walk on the ground and hunt prey in the grass. African Grass Owls are mostly active at night and feed on small mammals, birds, and insects. They are known for their distinctive screeching call, which is often heard at night.
Where can you find them?
Found in grasslands and savannahs throughout South Africa, including Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces
African Scops owl
The African Scops-owl is a small owl found in forests and woodlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They have a distinctive rounded head, large yellow eyes, and a mottled brown and white plumage. African Scops-owls feed on insects, small mammals, and birds, and are active mostly at night. They are known for their distinctive whistling call.
Where can you find them?
Found in forests and woodlands throughout South Africa, including in the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces.
African Wood owl
The African Wood-owl is a medium-sized owl found in forests and woodlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their distinctive hooting call, which can often be heard at night. African Wood-owls have a round head, large yellow eyes, and a mottled brown and white plumage with a streaked chest and belly. They feed on small mammals and birds and are usually active at night.
Where can you find them?
Found in forests and woodlands throughout South Africa, including in the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces.
Barn owl
The Barn Owl is a medium-sized owl found worldwide, including in Africa. They are often found in open habitats such as farmland and grasslands. Barn Owls have a distinctive heart-shaped face that helps them locate prey through sound. They have soft feathers that allow them to fly silently, making them stealthy hunters of small mammals such as rodents. They have a white face and chest, with golden-brown wings and back.
Where can you find them?
Found throughout South Africa, including in rural and urban areas such as farmlands, vineyards, and cities.
Cape Eagle owl
The Cape Eagle Owl is a large owl found in Southern Africa, from Namibia to South Africa. They are often found in rocky habitats such as mountains and cliffs. Cape Eagle Owls have distinctive ear tufts and large, bright orange eyes. They have a mottled brown and white plumage with black streaks and spots. They are powerful hunters that feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are usually active at night and have a deep, booming hooting call. The Cape Eagle Owl is an important cultural symbol in Southern Africa and is often featured in local folklore and mythology.
Where can you find them?
Found in rocky habitats such as mountains and cliffs throughout South Africa, including in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Marsh owl
The Marsh Owl is a medium-sized owl found in wetlands and marshes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their distinctive heart-shaped, pale facial disk. Marsh Owls have a mottled brown and white plumage, with long, slender legs and toes. They feed on a variety of prey, including rodents, birds, and insects. They are usually active at dawn and dusk and are rarely seen during the day.
Where can you find them?
Found in wetlands and grasslands throughout South Africa, including in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Pel's Fishing owl
Pel’s Fishing Owl is a large owl found in sub-Saharan Africa, often near rivers and streams. They are known for their unique fishing behavior, where they dive into the water to catch fish. Pel’s Fishing Owls have a large, rounded head and a pale facial disk. They have brown eyes and a dark bill. They are a rare species and are considered a symbol of healthy freshwater ecosystems.
Where can you find them?
Found near rivers and other freshwater bodies in eastern South Africa, including the Kruger National Park and the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Pearl spotted Owlet
The Pearl-spotted Owlet is a small owl found in savannahs and woodlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They have a distinctive pear-shaped white spots on their brown plumage, a white facial disk, and bright yellow eyes. Pearl-spotted Owlets feed on insects and small mammals, and are active mostly at night.
Where can you find them?
Found in savannahs and woodlands throughout South Africa, including in the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces.
Spotted Eagle owl
The Spotted Eagle-owl is a medium-sized owl found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, often in savannahs and woodlands. They feed on a variety of prey, including rodents, insects, and small birds. Spotted Eagle-owls have a mottled brown and white plumage, with distinctive white spots on their wings. They have orange eyes and a black beak.
Where can you find them?
Found throughout South Africa, including in urban areas such as parks and gardens, as well as in rural areas such as savannahs and woodlands.
Southern White faced Owl
The Southern White-faced Owl is a small owl found in forests and woodlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They have a distinctive white face and large, dark eyes. Southern White-faced Owls feed on a variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, and birds. They are usually active at night and have a distinctive, rhythmic hooting call.
Where can you find them?
Found in forests and woodlands throughout South Africa, including in the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces.
Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is a large owl found in sub-Saharan Africa, often in rocky habitats such as cliffs and gorges. They are one of the largest owl species in Africa and have distinctive ear tufts. Verreaux’s Eagle Owls have yellow eyes and a pink bill. They are powerful hunters that feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Where can you find them?
Found in mountainous regions throughout South Africa, including the Drakensberg Mountains, the Magaliesberg Mountains, and the Western Cape Mountains.
African Barred Owl
The African Barred Owlet is a small owl found in forests and woodlands throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They have a distinctive barred plumage, with a white facial disk and bright yellow eyes. African Barred Owlets feed on insects, small mammals, and birds, and are active mostly at night.
Where can you find them?
Found in forests and woodlands throughout South Africa, including in the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces.