Meet the Birds: Raptors
Central to falconry is the appreciation and care of the avian partners, therefore an in-depth knowledge of raptors should be a priority for all falconers. Over 450 species of raptors exist worldwide, 20 of which are native to Virginia. Falconers can legally hunt with all kinds of raptors depending on the regulations for the species and the falconer's level of experience.
Virginia Native Species
Hawks - Accipitriformes
1. Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2. Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) 3. Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) 4. Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 5. Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) 6. Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) 7. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 8. Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) Eagles - Accipitriformes 9. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 10. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Falcons - Falconiformes 11. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 12. Merlin (Falco columbarius) 13. Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) Owls - Strigiformes 14. Great-horned owl (Bubo virginianus) 15. Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio) 16. Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) 17. Long-eared owl (Asio otus) 18. Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) 19. Barn owl (Tyto alba) 20. Barred owl (Strix varia) Common Falconry Birds Harris Hawks |
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Red Tailed Hawks (RTs)
Goshawks