Legal Falconry Species in Washington
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Washington
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 28 of 28 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird total, CAN TAKE FROM WILD per 220-420-070(7). General/... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8). ... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Washington Falconry Permit + Experience Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per 220-420-070(8) and 220-420-060(7). Mas... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit + Banding Required |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8). ... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit + Banding Required |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8). ... |
Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
Master |
Washington Falconry Permit + Special Capture Permit |
Master falconers only. APPRENTICE/GENERAL CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8), 2... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird total, CAN TAKE FROM WILD per 220-420-070(7). General:... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8). ... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Washington Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. APPRENTICE CAN POSSESS if captive-bred/transferred (220-420-070(8... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Washington Falconry Permit + Experience Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per 220-420-070(8) and 220-420-060(7). Mas... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8). ... |
Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii |
Apprentice |
Washington Falconry Permit (Captive-bred/Transfer only) |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: Max 1 bird, captive-bred or transferred only per 220-420-070(8), ... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Washington Falconry Permit + Experience Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per 220-420-070(8) and 220-420-060(7). Mas... |