Legal Falconry Species in Kentucky
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Kentucky
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 30 of 30 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
State Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: One of 4 allowed species. NO nestlings, NO imprinted. Sponsor sup... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY but federally legal... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY but federally legal... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY - captive-bred or l... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
State Falconry Permit + Prior Department Approval |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. REQUIRES PRIOR APPROVAL from Kentucky Dep... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY but federally legal... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SEASON: Adult take Sept 1-Oct 31, Pa... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY - captive-bred or l... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
Apprentice |
State Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. UNIQUE KENTUCKY: Apprentice may possess Harris's hawk (one of 4 allowed speci... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY but federally legal... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. LOTTERY: Passage tundrius peregrine ... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY - captive-bred or l... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
Apprentice |
State Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. UNIQUE KENTUCKY: Apprentice may possess red-shouldered hawk (one of 4 allowed... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
State Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: One of 4 allowed species (kestrel, RTH, red-shouldered hawk, Harr... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. EYAS QUOTA: 10 residents, 5 non-resi... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take: residents max 2/year, non... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY but federally legal... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
State Falconry Permit + Prior Department Approval |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. REQUIRES PRIOR APPROVAL from Kentucky Dep... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to KY - captive-bred or l... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
State Falconry Permit + Prior Department Approval |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. REQUIRES PRIOR APPROVAL from Kentucky Dep... |