Legal Falconry Species in Maine
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Maine
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 |
Maine Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess American kestrel. May be taken at ANY AGE per federal... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Former breeding resident of Maine (r... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round (very com... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare year-round resident in northern... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine (summer breeder, hig... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round. Must be ... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Maine (Great Plains sp... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Maine Falconry Permit + Prior Department Approval |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. MAINE STATE ENDANGERED. NO WILD TAKE IN M... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Winter visitor to Maine (largest owl... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round (very com... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit + Mandatory Banding |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Maine (Arctic species)... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit + Mandatory Banding |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Maine (southwestern US... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round (secretiv... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine (breeder/migrant, co... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit + Mandatory Banding |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round (northern... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine (marshes and grassla... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare winter visitor/resident in nort... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round (conifero... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit + Mandatory Banding (+ Peregrine Trapping Permit for wild take) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. MAINE STATE ENDANGERED. WILD TAKE RE... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Maine (western US spec... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine year-round (common i... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Maine Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Most common choice for beginners. Must be passage bird (under 1 y... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Winter visitor to Maine from Arctic.... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Maine (breeding/migrant). ... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Former breeding resident of Maine (r... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Winter visitor to Maine from Arctic.... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Maine Falconry Permit + Prior Department Approval |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires prior written Department approva... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Maine Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Maine (western/Great P... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Maine Falconry Permit + Prior Department Approval |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires prior written Department approva... |