Species Profiles
8 species · From apprentice to master
Not all raptors are created equal. Each species has unique characteristics, hunting styles, and care requirements. Learn which birds match your experience level and goals.
Elegir la rapaz adecuada es la decision mas importante que toma un cetrero. Cada especie aporta un temperamento, instintos de caza y necesidades de alojamiento distintos que deben coincidir con su nivel de experiencia, terreno local y presa disponible. Un halcon de cola roja prospera en campos abiertos persiguiendo conejos, mientras que un gavilan de Cooper destaca cazando aves en bosques densos. Comprender estas diferencias antes de adquirir un ave previene frustraciones y protege el bienestar de la rapaz.
Los perfiles a continuacion cubren ocho especies comunmente voladas en la cetreria norteamericana, desde buteos aptos para principiantes hasta halcones de ala larga y aguilas avanzadas. Cada guia detalla el estilo de caza, rangos de peso, requisitos de alojamiento, consideraciones de temperamento y que clase de licencia le permite volar esa especie. Use la tabla comparativa para evaluar aves lado a lado y encontrar la mejor opcion para sus objetivos.
Por qué esto importa
Elegir la especie adecuada según tu nivel de experiencia, hábitat disponible y objetivos de caza es fundamental tanto para tu éxito como para el bienestar de tu ave. Una especie que prospera en pastizales abiertos puede tener dificultades en bosques densos, y una rapaz que requiere manejo experimentado puede abrumar a un cetrero novato. Comprender cada especie a fondo antes de tomar una decisión previene desajustes costosos y estresantes.
Orden de lectura recomendado
Si eres aprendiz, comienza con los perfiles del Halcón de Cola Roja y el Cernícalo Americano, ya que estas son las especies disponibles para ti según las regulaciones federales. Los cetreros de clase general y maestra deben explorar todos los perfiles para comprender la gama completa de opciones y comparar estilos de caza, exigencias de cuidado y características de temperamento entre especies.
Falconry Birds: Understanding the Species
Falconry birds fall into three broad categories based on their hunting style and wing shape. Understanding these groups helps you choose the right bird for your experience level, available hunting terrain, and the game you want to pursue. Each species brings unique strengths to the field, and matching the right bird to your situation is one of the most important decisions in falconry.
Broadwings (Buteos)
Soaring hawks like Red-tailed Hawks and Harris’s Hawks. They hunt from high perches or soaring positions, diving on ground quarry. Best for open country hunting after rabbits, squirrels, and similar game. The most popular group for beginners.
Shortwings (Accipiters)
Fast, agile hawks like Cooper’s Hawks and Goshawks. Built for explosive acceleration through dense cover. They chase birds and small mammals through brush and timber. Demanding birds requiring experienced hands.
Longwings (Falcons)
True falcons like Peregrines and Gyrfalcons. Known for spectacular high-altitude stoops on bird quarry. They need open sky and are typically flown at ducks, pigeons, and upland game birds. The pinnacle of classical falconry.
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
The most popular first bird for North American apprentices. Hardy, forgiving, and capable hunters.
Harris’s Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
The only social raptor. Known for their cooperative hunting and strong bonds with handlers.
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
North America’s smallest falcon. Legal for apprentices but more challenging than their size suggests.
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
Lightning-fast accipiters built for hunting birds in dense cover. Not for the faint of heart.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
The fastest animal on Earth. The ultimate longwing, pursuing birds in spectacular stoops.
Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
The “cook’s hawk” of medieval Europe. Powerful, intense, and demanding of experienced hands.
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus
The largest falcon. An arctic specialist prized for power and beauty since the days of kings.
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
The ultimate raptor. Reserved for Master falconers, used on large quarry like jackrabbits and foxes.
Species Comparison at a Glance
| Species | Type | Weight | Difficulty | Best For | Primary Quarry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | Broadwing | 2-3 lbs | Beginner | First bird, all-around hunting | Rabbits, squirrels |
| Harris’s Hawk | Broadwing | 1.5-2.5 lbs | Beginner-Int. | Group hunting, social bond | Rabbits, hares |
| American Kestrel | Longwing | 3-5 oz | Intermediate | Small quarry, limited space | Sparrows, insects |
| Cooper’s Hawk | Shortwing | 8-24 oz | Advanced | Bird hawking in cover | Starlings, pigeons |
| Peregrine Falcon | Longwing | 1-2.5 lbs | Advanced | Open-sky bird hawking | Ducks, pigeons |
| Goshawk | Shortwing | 1.5-3 lbs | Expert | Versatile hunting, experienced hands | Rabbits, pheasants, squirrels |
| Gyrfalcon | Longwing | 2-4.5 lbs | Expert | Open-country, large quarry | Sage grouse, ducks |
| Golden Eagle | Broadwing | 8-14 lbs | Master Only | Large quarry, open terrain | Jackrabbits, foxes |
For Apprentices
As an apprentice falconer, you’re limited to two species: the Red-tailed Hawk and the American Kestrel. Most sponsors recommend starting with a Red-tail—here’s why:
✓ Red-tailed Hawk
- • Hardy and forgiving of beginner mistakes
- • Clear body language (easier to read)
- • Capable hunter of meaningful quarry
- • Abundant and easy to trap
- • Large enough to handle varied weather
⚠️ American Kestrel
- • Higher metabolism = less margin for error
- • Smaller quarry = harder hunting
- • More sensitive to temperature
- • Can work, but harder than it looks
- • Better as a second or third bird
Choosing Your First Falconry Bird
Your first falconry bird should be a species that teaches you the fundamentals while being forgiving of the inevitable mistakes every beginner makes. For the vast majority of aspiring falconers in North America, this means a passage (first-year, wild-caught) Red-tailed Hawk.
Red-tails are hardy, expressive, and capable hunters. They tolerate a wider range of weight management errors than smaller, more sensitive species. Their body language is relatively easy to read, making it easier to learn when your bird is ready to hunt versus when it needs more time. And their abundance means trapping pressure has no conservation impact.
While American Kestrels are also legal for apprentices, their tiny size and fast metabolism leave almost no margin for error in weight management. A mistake that a Red-tail shrugs off could be fatal to a Kestrel. Most experienced falconers recommend saving Kestrels for your second or third bird, once you have mastered the basics.
After completing your two-year apprenticeship and earning a General license, a much wider range of species becomes available. Many falconers transition to Harris’s Hawks for their social nature, Cooper’s Hawks for the challenge, or begin working with longwings like Peregrines. The species you ultimately fly will depend on your terrain, target quarry, and personal preference.