Legal Falconry Species in New Jersey
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in New Jersey
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 |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Must possess only ONE kestrel OR red-tailed hawk (passage only pe... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (uncommon, open... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey year-round (com... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (summer breeder... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices (N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.16). Native to New J... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to New Jersey - captive-b... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
New Jersey Falconry Permit + Written Division Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.16. Requires WRITTEN A... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey year-round (ver... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to New Jersey (Arctic spe... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to New Jersey (southweste... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (rare breeder, ... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (migrant, uncom... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (uncommon breed... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey year-round (mar... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (migratory, unc... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit + Special Peregrine Falcon Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (year-round/mig... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to New Jersey (western US... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey year-round (com... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE red-tailed hawk OR kestrel (passage only, no... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (winter visitor... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (common migrant... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to New Jersey (winter visitor... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare winter visitor to New Jersey fr... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
New Jersey Falconry Permit + Written Division Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires written authorization from NJ Di... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
New Jersey Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare vagrant to New Jersey. WILD TAK... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
New Jersey Falconry Permit + Written Division Authorization |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires written authorization from NJ Di... |