Legal Falconry Species in Massachusetts
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Massachusetts
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 26 of 26 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: One of 2 allowed species. May be taken at ANY AGE per federal exc... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare breeder/year-round resident in ... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA year-round (very common... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA (summer breeder, highly... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA year-round, increasing ... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MA (western species). ... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit + Federal Golden Eagle Permit |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal Golden Eagle Permit per ... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare winter visitor to MA (largest o... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA year-round (very common... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MA (Arctic species). C... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MA (southwestern US sp... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA year-round (rare, secre... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA (migrant through state,... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA (rare year-round in nor... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA year-round (coniferous ... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA (year-round near coast,... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MA (western US species... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA year-round (common in w... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: One of 2 allowed species. Most common choice for beginners. Must ... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Winter visitor to MA from Arctic. Fe... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to MA (uncommon breeder, comm... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare migrant/winter visitor to MA (g... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Winter visitor to MA from Arctic. Fe... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit + Federal Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal authorization per 50 CFR... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MA (western/Great Plai... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Massachusetts Falconry Permit + Federal Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal authorization per 50 CFR... |