[4] The marsh owl's habitat preference is open grassland, marshlands and short scrub,[5] typically near marshy grounds, vleis or dams.

[6] Marsh owls prefer to nest on the ground[6] and they have also been observed leaving certain areas during drought-stricken times.

[4] Prey items include mice, voles, rats, shrews, young hares, bats, birds up to the size of small ducks and doves, frogs, lizards, scorpions, beetles and grasshoppers.

[5] Marsh owls are not listed as vulnerable or endangered, but their population is on the decline mainly due to loss of habitat through urbanization.

Marsh owls commonly breed during the winter months when veld fires occur.

Farmers burn veld to stimulate the regrowth of vegetation for grazing, to prevent the encroachment of unwanted plants and weeds and to control ticks.

Irresponsible burning of veld robs wildlife of habitat and in the case of marsh owls, it has a huge impact on their breeding and population.