Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) [XC181902]
by Thijs Fijen from Merja Zerga NP, Morocco (song)
Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) [XC708210]
by Tony Archer from City of Matlosana (near Hartbeesfontein), Southern DC, North West, South Africa (call)
Subspecies
Sometimes thought to be closely related to Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), the two replacing each other ecologically. Resemblance, however, rather superficial and probably due to convergence, and voices also very different.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
tingitanus (Loche, 1867) - North-western Morocco.
capensis (Smith, 1834) - Isolated areas in western Africa, from Senegal to Chad and Cameroon. Also from southern Sudan and Ethiopian Highlands, and from southern Congo, south to the Cape.