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)

Falconry birds are either wild caught or captive bred. Strict legal requirements need to be met to obtain and fly either.
 
Common Falconry Birds 
Picture
Stacia Novy with her female Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis}. This species is native to the Neotropics but ranges northward to Texas and Arizona. This falcon is trained for pest bird abatement in and around airports. It caught a pigeon 100 feet up on a roof. The falcon was located using telemetry. Illinois, November 2024
Picture
Haggard Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus, native to southern USA and South America) flying to Bian Cullen on a Snowy Day
Picture
Harris Hawk named Logos, owner Brian Cullen, on rabbit at Graves Mountain Lodge Meet in February 2025.

Red Tailed Hawks (RTs)

Picture
Passage Red Tail (Buteo jamaicensis) named Cleopatra eating Rabbit on Gauntlet worn by Corine Hagan - Photo by Jacob Roberts
Picture
Haggard Red Tail (Buteo jamaicensis) named Tiberius, with Squirrel in Virginia. 2019
Picture
Jill Morrow with Muffin the passage Buteo jamaicensis, Hapless Squirrel and Dingo-The-German- Shorthair-Pointer - Photo by Lance Morrow
 Goshawks
PictureGoshawk (Astur gentilis) named Luna with Rabbit - Photo credit Jill Morrow in 2023

    FALCONS

Picture
Female Passage Kestrel (Falco sparverius, formerly called sparrowhawk) mantling over Dragon Fly in Haymarket . This kestrel weighed less than 3 ounces (87 grams). September 2024. Photo by Corine Hagan
Picture
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) from Eastern Shore of Virginia with Duck - Photo by Jill Morrow