You Cannot Own a Raptor as a Pet
Honest raptor rehabilitation starts with the legal reality. In the United States, you cannot legally own a hawk, falcon, eagle, owl, or any other raptor as a pet. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), prohibits private possession of native raptors without one of a small set of specific federal permits. State law adds additional permit requirements. Pet stores cannot legally sell raptors. Online classified listings offering “tame hawks” or “owls for sale” are either fraudulent or operating illegally.
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The permit pathways that do allow legal raptor handling fall into a few categories: falconry permits (for sport-hunting partnerships), wildlife rehabilitator permits (for treating injured wild birds and returning them to the wild), educational permits (for nature centers and approved programs), and scientific research permits (for university-affiliated researchers). All of them require formal training, sponsoring relationships, demonstrated facilities, and inspections. None of them allow you to keep a raptor as a casual companion.
The framing in our hornbill comprehensive care article applies in spirit here: most readers should leave this article informed about how raptors are handled in the US but not pursuing direct possession. The realistic engagement paths are visiting rehabilitation centers, donating to raptor sanctuaries, or pursuing the multi-year falconry or rehabilitator licensing process if your commitment is real.
The Falconry Permit Path
Falconry is the legal pathway for private raptor handling in the US, and it requires substantial commitment. The standard progression has three stages:
- Apprentice falconer (minimum 2 years): Requires a sponsor (a general or master falconer in good standing), a written test, facilities inspection by your state wildlife agency, and a federal+state permit. Apprentices are typically limited to one bird, usually a red-tailed hawk or American kestrel.
- General falconer (minimum 5 years total experience): Once the apprentice period is satisfactorily completed, the falconer can apply to advance. General falconers may keep up to three birds and may handle a wider range of species.
- Master falconer (minimum 7 years total experience): The highest standard tier. Master falconers may keep more birds and may serve as sponsors for new apprentices.
Falconry birds are partners in hunting, not pets. The relationship centers on working together in the field, with the bird flying free and returning to the falconer for handling. Birds are flown regularly (often daily during hunting season), weighed precisely to maintain hunting motivation, and handled with specialized equipment (hood, jesses, perches, telemetry).
Sourcing varies. Some falconry birds are captive-bred from licensed breeders; others are trapped from the wild under permit (typically passage birds, which are young raptors in their first year). Different species, age classes, and acquisition methods have different permit implications. Your state wildlife agency is the starting point for understanding what is allowed in your jurisdiction.
The Wildlife Rehabilitator Path
Wildlife rehabilitation is the other major legal path involving raptor handling. Rehabilitators receive injured or orphaned wild raptors, provide medical and supportive care, and (where possible) release them back to the wild. The role is fundamentally different from falconry: a rehabilitator does not own the birds, does not handle them for sport, and does not keep them long-term unless they are non-releasable.
Federal permits for raptor rehabilitation require completion of an apprenticeship period under an established rehabilitator (typically 100 to 200 hours of documented experience), facility inspection, sponsor letters, written examinations, and ongoing reporting to USFWS. State permits add additional requirements. The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) provide certification programs that strengthen permit applications.
Most rehabilitation centers operate as nonprofit organizations with paid staff and trained volunteers. Many take new volunteers who want to engage with raptors without pursuing personal permits. This is the realistic engagement path for most readers: contact your nearest accredited wildlife center and ask about volunteer training programs. You may find that meaningful raptor work is possible without the multi-year permit pathway.
What to Do If You Find an Injured Raptor
Despite the strong legal framework, ordinary readers occasionally encounter injured raptors. The proper response is straightforward and important:
- Do not attempt to handle the bird yourself unless you have to move it from immediate danger.
- If you must move it, throw a towel or blanket over the bird first to cover its eyes and limit talon strikes, then place it gently in a covered cardboard box.
- Keep the bird in a quiet, dark, warm location. Do not offer food or water unless instructed to by a rehabilitator.
- Contact your state wildlife agency, a local licensed rehabilitator, or your state’s wildlife hotline. Many states have raptor-specific rescue lines.
- Transport to the designated facility as soon as practical. Most injured raptors deteriorate quickly without professional care.
Do not “rehab” the bird at home. It is illegal, it is usually counterproductive, and it is dangerous (raptor talons cause severe puncture wounds, and even small raptors carry powerful gripping force). The first-aid framing in our emergency bird first aid kit guide applies to companion birds, not to wild raptors.
Non-Releasable Birds and Education Programs
Some raptors brought into rehabilitation cannot be released back to the wild. Wing amputations, blind birds, imprinted juveniles, and birds with chronic injuries are non-releasable. These birds are sometimes transferred to educational programs under specific federal permits that allow them to be kept and used for public education rather than euthanized.
Nature centers, raptor sanctuaries, and educational falconers maintain these birds for life. Visitors to these centers see hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons up close, often perched on a glove or a tethered perch, with a handler explaining their natural history. This is the largest legal way for the general public to engage with raptors face to face.
Supporting these programs is meaningful. Donations, memberships, and adopt-a-raptor sponsorships fund the cost of housing non-releasable birds, which is substantial. The frame parallels the sanctuary support framing in our parrot rescue and sanctuary network overview: financial support is one of the most directly impactful ways to engage with these animals.
International, State, and Tribal Variations
Federal law sets the floor; state and tribal jurisdictions can add further restrictions. Hawaii, for example, has additional protections for the endangered Hawaiian hawk (io). Tribal jurisdictions may have specific eagle-handling permits tied to religious and cultural practice. Some states require state-level permits beyond federal requirements; others rely on federal licensing alone.
International raptor work requires CITES paperwork in addition to USFWS permits, and the timelines for legal import or export are months to years depending on the species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulates many raptors (especially eagles and large falcons) at Appendix I or II levels.
Bottom line: assume that every step of raptor handling involves permits, documentation, and regulatory contact. The legal infrastructure exists because raptor populations are vulnerable to over-collection and because mishandling causes harm. The patience required for proper licensing is a feature of the system, not a bug.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a hawk or owl as a pet in the United States?
No. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits private possession of native raptors without federal and state permits. Falconry permits, wildlife rehabilitator permits, and educational permits exist for specific purposes, but none of them allow casual pet keeping.
How long does it take to become a licensed falconer?
The standard progression is a minimum 2-year apprenticeship under a sponsoring general or master falconer, followed by 5 years total to reach general status, and 7 years total to reach master status. Most working falconers describe the path as a multi-decade commitment.
What should I do if I find an injured hawk in my yard?
Cover the bird with a towel, place it in a covered cardboard box, keep it warm and quiet, and contact your state wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Do not attempt to provide care yourself; it is illegal and usually harmful.
Are there raptor sanctuaries I can visit?
Yes. Many regions have raptor sanctuaries and nature centers that house non-releasable birds for educational programs. Examples include the World Center for Birds of Prey (Idaho), the Cascades Raptor Center (Oregon), and many regional centers nationwide. Visit, donate, and consider sponsoring a bird.
How is raptor work different from other exotic bird keeping?
The most important difference is legal: raptors are wild birds protected by federal law and cannot be owned privately as pets. This is unlike the captive-bred parrots and softbills covered in our other articles such as the first bird comparison. Engagement with raptors goes through licensed channels: falconry, rehabilitation, education, or sanctuary support.
