Legal Falconry Species in Rhode Island

Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Rhode Island

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 20 of 20 species

Species Experience Level Permit Type Notes

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT ALLOWED FOR APPRENTICES in Rhode Island (unique state restric...

Barn Owl

Tyto alba
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (uncommon year-round re...

Barred Owl

Strix varia
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI year-round (common in f...

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (summer breeder, highly...

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI year-round (common in w...

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos
Master

RI Falconry Permit + Federal Golden Eagle Permit

Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal golden eagle take permit...

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI year-round (common, wid...

Gyrfalcon

Falco rusticolus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to RI (Arctic species). C...

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to RI (southwestern US sp...

Long-eared Owl

Asio otus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (rare breeding resident...

Merlin

Falco columbarius
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (migrant/winter visitor...

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (rare in northern fores...

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI year-round (forests). M...

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI year-round (common in w...

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis
Apprentice

RI Falconry Permit

All experience levels. APPRENTICE: ONLY species allowed for RI apprentices per 250-RICR-60-00-7 (kes...

Rough-legged Hawk

Buteo lagopus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (winter visitor from Ar...

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to RI (year-round resident/mi...

Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacus
General

RI Falconry Permit

General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare winter visitor to RI from Arcti...

Steller's Sea Eagle

Haliaeetus pelagicus
Master

RI Falconry Permit + Federal Authorization

Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Listed as excluded but if federal require...

White-tailed Eagle

Haliaeetus albicilla
Master

RI Falconry Permit + Federal Authorization

Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. If federal requirements met per 250-RICR-...


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