If you were wondering whether hawks can be kept as pets then you’ve come to the right article.
As, in this article, you’ll find the exact answer to this question, and also after I’ve given you the answer to the main question then I’ll give answers to a few more closely related questions as well.
So, I hope you learn a lot from this article!
Can you keep a hawk as a pet?
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended in 1972, prohibits the capturing of hawks as pets.
The treaty was originally an agreement between the US and Canada, but it has expanded to include Mexico and other countries.
Moreover, although it originally only regulated the capturing and killing of migratory birds, the scope was expanded in the 1970s to include raptors such as hawks.
While one cannot capture hawks to keep as pets, with proper licensing and completion of legally mandated training, one can become a falconer, which is someone who trains falcons and hawks to hunt.
Can you have a red-tailed hawk as a pet?
Keeping a red-tailed hawk as a pet is prohibited by amendments made to the international Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1972.
However, licensed falconers are permitted to train and keep them.
In fact, in most jurisdictions, the process of becoming a master falconer begins by capturing a red tail hawk and training it before graduating to other raptors, such as falcons.
During this period of training, a falconer is an apprentice who receives guidance and evaluation from a master falconer.
Check out the video below if you want to see a man that keeps a Red Tailed hawk as a pet.
Is it legal to keep a hawk as a pet?
It is not legal to keep a hawk as a pet.
Doing so is prohibited by international law, specifically the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
While the act originally only regulated migratory birds, the scope was expanded in 1972 to include hawks, falcons, and eagles.
Can you keep a pet hawk in California?
Because the law prohibiting keeping hawks and other birds of prey is an international treaty adopted by the federal government, no state has the power to circumvent it.
So, it is illegal to keep a pet hawk in California and every other state.
It is also illegal to keep magpies, crows, and other corvids, as well as vultures.
Can you keep a pet hawk in Australia?
In the absence of a special permit, it is illegal to keep wild animals, including hawks, in Australia.
However, in some cases, such permits can be issued, making it legal to possess hawks as well as a range of other native Australian wildlife.
Such permits are typically only granted to zoos and parks, so it is effectively illegal to own a hawk as a pet, or personal possession.
Can you keep a pet hawk in Florida?
The 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits keeping hawks and other birds of prey.
It is an international treaty, so no state, including Florida, has the power to override it.
According to the act, hawks themselves, as well as their nests and eggs, cannot be taken into possession.
Can you keep a pet hawk in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s Wildlife Act of 1953 prohibits the capture, sale, and possession of wild animals, including hawks and other birds of prey.
Since falcons are a threatened species within New Zealand, even falconers are not allowed to possess and train them.
Can you keep a pet hawk in the United Kingdom?
Under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, it is illegal to capture, injure, possess, or even disturb hawks.
As in the United States, Canada, and other countries, there are special laws and regulations governing the licensing of falconers.
When properly credentialed, a falconer can possess and train certain kinds of raptors, including hawks.
Within the UK, there are also regional laws and regulations governing the sale, transport, and possession of raptors that have been born and raised in captivity.
Do hawks make good pets?
Hawks do not make good pets.
While injured birds are kept confined by raptor sanctuaries, hawks are large birds of prey and thrive when allowed to freely fly and hunt.
Falconers who keep and train hawks generally do not treat them as pets, at least in the traditional sense.
They must regularly work with the hawk and take them hunting, and they generally do not keep any single bird for the entirety of its lifespan.
How do you get a pet hawk?
The only way to legally obtain a hawk is by becoming a licensed falconer.
This requires training as an apprentice under a master falconer and then passing a rigorous test.
According to the guidelines in many jurisdictions, once a falconer has met the initial requirements to become an apprentice, they begin the process of training raptors by purchasing or capturing a red-tailed hawk.
Before being able to do so, they must demonstrate that they have the space and equipment necessary to safely train and keep the bird.
Can you buy a pet hawk?
As a federally protected bird of prey, the possession, transport, and sale of hawks are illegal.
Only properly trained and licensed falconers are permitted to obtain and keep hawks.
Can you tame a wild hawk?
Wild hawks can be trained, and the practice of doing so is called falconry.
Once trained, a hawk will work with its handler and respond to commands (usually indicated via a whistle).
Falconers use trained hawks to hunt small game.
Even a trained hawk will remain a threat to other domesticated animals and pets, such as dogs, cats, and chickens.
They cannot be tamed to live alongside other such animals.
Is it easy to train a hawk?
Training a hawk involves conditioning it to return to its handler (a falconer) to receive food.
Such training is intense but rather short.
When approached correctly, a master falconer can train a hawk in only a few weeks.
Upon being trained, the falconer can release the hawk to kill and retrieve small game.
However, its relationship to the falconer is one of pure utility.
It learns that the falconer offers highly desired food, and so it returns small game in exchange for better meat (often beef).
Even a highly trained hawk will only return to its handler if it is hungry.
What can I feed my pet hawk?
Hawks are technically omnivores and opportunistic feeders.
They will eat fruit and seeds, as well as insects.
However, they prefer to prey on small mammals, birds, fish, lizards, and snakes.
Check out the video below if you want to see a baby hawk being fed.
Conclusion
In this article, you’ve learned that hawks cannot be kept as pets.
This is the case because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which was introduced in 1918 and was extended to include raptors like hawks in the 1970s.
You’ve also learned, however, that with proper licensing and when completing legally mandated training you then will be allowed to become a falconer who is allowed to train falcons to hunt.
