Legal Falconry Species in Mississippi
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Mississippi
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 |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess American kestrel (fragile, not recommended for beginn... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi year-round (op... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi year-round (ve... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi (summer breede... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi but federa... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi year-round. Mu... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi (Great Pla... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Mississippi Falconry Permit + Federal Golden Eagle Permit |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal golden eagle take permit... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi but federa... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi year-round (ve... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi (Arctic sp... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi (southwest... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare visitor to Mississippi. Allowed... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi (winter visito... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare visitor to Mississippi (not typ... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi (winter visito... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi but federa... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi but federa... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi (year-round/mi... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi (western U... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
Apprentice |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: UNIQUE TO MS - Red-shouldered Hawk allowed for apprentices (not c... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Traditionally recommended first bird (most popular choice, forgiv... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Extremely rare winter visitor to Mis... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi (winter visito... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Mississippi (winter visito... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi but federa... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Mississippi Falconry Permit + Department Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires department authorization for pos... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Mississippi Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Mississippi (Great Pla... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Mississippi Falconry Permit + Department Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires department authorization for pos... |