Legal Falconry Species in North Carolina
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in North Carolina
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 |
North Carolina Falconry License |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor. May be taken at ANY AGE per federal ... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina year-round ... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina year-round ... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (common sum... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per 50 CFR 21.82. Native to North Car... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to North Carolina - capti... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
North Carolina Falconry License + Federal Golden Eagle Permit |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per 50 CFR 21.82. Rare winter visitor to N... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina year-round ... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to North Carolina (Arctic... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to North Carolina (southw... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (uncommon w... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (migrant, w... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (uncommon b... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina year-round ... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (breeds in ... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (year-round... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to North Carolina (wester... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina year-round ... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
North Carolina Falconry License |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor (passage or adult, no nestlings per 5... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (uncommon w... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (common mig... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to North Carolina (uncommon w... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare winter visitor to North Carolin... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
North Carolina Falconry License (Captive-bred only) |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Not native to North Carolina - captive-br... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
North Carolina Falconry License (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare vagrant to North Carolina. WILD... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
North Carolina Falconry License (Captive-bred only) |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Not native to North Carolina - captive-br... |