Legal Falconry Species in Maryland
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Maryland
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 31 of 31 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: One of 3 allowed species. Must be wild passage bird. May be taken... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. May be taken at any age. Native year... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. May be taken at any age. Wild take m... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD but federally legal... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take max 2/year. General: max 3... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD - captive-bred or l... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take max 2/year. General: max 3... |
Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. May be taken at any age. Wild take m... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD - captive-bred or l... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Federal Eagle Take Permit |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional federal documentation... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD but federally legal... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. May be taken at any age (owls exempt... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Special Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED to take from... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD - captive-bred or l... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Special Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED to take from... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. EYAS RESTRICTION: May NOT take eyas ... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTION: May NOT take... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Special Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED to take from... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD but federally legal... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. May be taken at any age. Wild take m... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Special Peregrine Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED to take from... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD - captive-bred or l... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
Apprentice |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. UNIQUE MARYLAND: Apprentice may possess red-shouldered hawk (one of 3 allowed... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: One of 3 allowed species. Must be wild passage bird (under 1 year... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take max 2/year. General: max 3... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Wild take max 2/year. General: max 3... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Special Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED to take from... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Special Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED to take from... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Additional Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional documentation per COM... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Maryland Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to MD - captive-bred or l... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Maryland Falconry Permit + Additional Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional documentation per COM... |