Legal Falconry Species in Arizona
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Arizona
Information provided for reference only. Always verify with official sources before making decisions. Regulations may have changed since this information was last updated.
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Species List
Showing 27 of 27 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona species or commonly allowed captive-bred. General: max ... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Sport Falconry License + Department Approval |
NOT allowed for Apprentice/General (H.1.c.vii, H.2.c.iv). Master only with Department approval (H.3.... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona species or commonly allowed captive-bred. General: max ... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. MUST BE BANDED (R.1.b). Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. MUST BE BANDED (R.1.a). Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona species or commonly allowed captive-bred. General: max ... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. MUST BE BANDED (R.1.c). Cannot capture banded peregrines (Q.12). Apprentice: ... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona species or commonly allowed captive-bred. General: max ... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings (H.1.b-c, Q.2... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona species or commonly allowed captive-bred. General: max ... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
Apprentice |
Sport Falconry License |
All experience levels. Apprentice: 1 bird max, can take passage or adult, no nestlings, no imprints.... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Sport Falconry License + Department Approval |
NOT allowed for Apprentice/General (H.1.c.vi, H.2.c.iii). Master only with Department approval (H.3.... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona species or commonly allowed captive-bred. General: max ... |
Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii |
General |
Sport Falconry License |
General and Master falconers. Native Arizona owls. General: max 3 birds, max 2 wild-caught/year. Mas... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Sport Falconry License + Department Approval |
NOT allowed for Apprentice/General (H.1.c.v, H.2.c.ii). Master only with Department approval (H.3.d)... |