Legal Falconry Species in New York

Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in New York

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 24 of 24 species

Species Experience Level Permit Type Notes

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius
Apprentice

State Falconry License

All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Must possess ONLY ONE kestrel OR red-tailed hawk (passage only, n...

Barn Owl

Tyto alba
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Barred Owl

Strix varia
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native buteo species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds to...

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native accipiter species found in NY. Federal standards apply. General...

Eastern Screech-Owl

Megascops asio
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Ferruginous Hawk

Buteo regalis
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native buteo species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds to...

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Gyrfalcon

Falco rusticolus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Non-native, captive-bred only (no wild population in NY). Federal stan...

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Non-native species, popular captive-bred. Cannot wild-capture in NY bu...

Long-eared Owl

Asio otus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Merlin

Falco columbarius
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native falcon species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. ...

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native accipiter species found in NY. Federal standards apply. General...

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native falcon species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. ...

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native falcon species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. ...

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native buteo species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds to...

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis
Apprentice

State Falconry License

All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Must possess ONLY ONE passage red-tailed hawk OR kestrel (no nest...

Rough-legged Hawk

Buteo lagopus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native buteo species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds to...

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native accipiter species found in NY. Federal standards apply. General...

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native owl species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds. Mas...

Steller's Sea Eagle

Haliaeetus pelagicus
Master

State Falconry License + Federal Eagle Permit

Master falconers only. Non-native species. Masters may not possess more than 3 white-tailed or Stell...

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni
General

State Falconry License

General and Master falconers. Native buteo species. Federal standards apply. General: max 3 birds to...

White-tailed Eagle

Haliaeetus albicilla
Master

State Falconry License + Federal Eagle Permit

Master falconers only. Non-native species. Masters may not possess more than 3 white-tailed or Stell...


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