Classified as vulnerable in South Africa , the African Grass Owl has lost valuable habitat through industrialisation and urbanisation. Grass Owls closely resemble the more common Barn Owl, Tyto alba, but are larger, have darker brown colouring and a rounder facial disk. Grass Owls also have very specific habitat requirements, whilst the more adaptable Barn Owl is the most widely distributed owl species in the world.
The contact call of the Grass Owl is a repeated high ‘clicking' sound, particularly whilst flying. The territorial call is a shrill screech as well as a frog-like croaking noise. Young owls make a hissing noise when threatened.
Grass owls can be spotted individually, in pairs or in family groups and prefer patches of tall grass, sedges or weeds, where they can safely roost and nest. They often appear in treeless areas, mainly in marshes and vleis, but also peripherally amongst dense ground cover in scattered thorn scrub and even low fynbos. The species will sometimes hunt in much drier and more open areas near the roost.