Did you know the African Grass Owl is one of our most threatened owls? Thanks to Jenni Jones for this gorgeous pic of one of our grass owls resting one leg. This normal behavior, even if it looks a little strange.
Closely related to the familiar Barn Owl, Grass Owls share the same heart-shaped face and haunting call, but unlike Barn Owls, they prefer to nest and roost deep in tall, wild grasses rather than buildings or rocky outcrops.
Sadly, their populations are plummeting due to habitat loss from agriculture, overgrazing, frequent fires, and urban development. Unlike Barn Owls, which adapt well to human-altered environments, Grass Owls are specialists - when the grasslands disappear, so do they. In 18 months at Tala we have not seen a single one.
With fewer safe places to breed and hunt, these incredible birds are at risk of vanishing. Protecting our remaining grasslands is urgent if we want future generations to hear their calls at dusk.
Nice fur or whatever equivalent for animals with feather. In French, we say "plumage".
It’s plumage in English too. :)
Thanks!
Usually there's at least a couple synonyms, but other than feathers/plumage, I can't think of any. That seems kind of weird...