Legal Falconry Species in Louisiana
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Louisiana
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 29 of 29 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess American kestrel (fragile, not recommended for beginn... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana year-round (open... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana year-round (very... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana (summer breeder,... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Seasonal visitor to Louisiana (rare)... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana year-round. Must... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana (Great Plain... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Louisiana Falconry Permit + Department Authorization + Reference Letters |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires written department authorization... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana but federall... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana year-round (very... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana (Arctic spec... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana (southwester... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare winter visitor to Louisiana. Al... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana (winter visitor/... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Extremely rare winter visitor to Lou... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana (winter visitor,... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana but federall... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana but federall... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit + Peregrine Trapping Permit (Lottery) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. UNIQUE LOUISIANA RESTRICTION: Requir... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana (western US ... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana year-round (comm... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Traditionally limited to red-tailed hawk (most popular choice, st... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Extremely rare winter visitor to Lou... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana (winter visitor/... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana (winter visitor,... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Louisiana but federall... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Louisiana Falconry Permit + Department Authorization + Reference Letters |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires written department authorization... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Louisiana Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Louisiana (summer breeder,... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Louisiana Falconry Permit + Department Authorization + Reference Letters |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires written department authorization... |