Legal Falconry Species in Virginia
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Virginia
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 30 of 30 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor. May be taken at ANY AGE per federal ... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia year-round (uncom... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia year-round (very ... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to VA but federally legal... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (common summer br... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to VA but federally legal... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per 50 CFR 21.82. Native to Virginia ... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Virginia - captive-bre... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Virginia Falconry Permit + Federal Eagle Take Permit |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal eagle take permit per 50... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to VA but federally legal... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia year-round (very ... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to lower 48 - typically c... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to Virginia (southwestern... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (uncommon winter ... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (common winter vi... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (uncommon breeder... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia year-round (marsh... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to VA but federally legal... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (uncommon winter ... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (year-round/migra... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to VA - captive-bred or l... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia year-round (commo... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor (passage only, no nestlings per 50 CF... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (uncommon winter ... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (common migrant, ... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to Virginia (winter visitor, ... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to VA but federally legal... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Virginia Falconry Permit + Additional Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional documentation per fed... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare vagrant to Virginia. WILD TAKE ... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Virginia Falconry Permit + Additional Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional documentation per fed... |