Owl Naming Programme

In most of the 11 official languages in South Africa, all owl species are described with one name. For example, the Pedi name for any type of owl is Lerubise while the Zulu name for any owl is isiKhova. The owl naming project is a national learner-led initiative to provide suitable names specific to each owl species within South Africa. Learners from different schools, cultures and languages have chosen names for our 12 owl species in their native tongue.  In time, we hope that these names will become the names with which specific owls are described by children and adults across the country. 

  Below is the name given to the Pearl Spotted Owl in SeSotho/Sepedi : Sephookonyana