Sec.26-67e-13. Approved raptor species

(a) The following species of raptors may be used for falconry in Connecticut:

(1) Any wild raptor of the subfamilies Falconinae or Accipitrinae that is legal to possess for falconry as defined under 50 CFR 21.29(e);

(2) any captive-bred raptor species of the subfamilies Falconinae or Accipitrinae that is not a hybrid and is legal to possess for falconry as defined under 50 CFR 21.29(e), provided at least one functioning radio transmitter is attached to the bird while it is flown free, and the bird is not released to the wild; and

(3) any species of hybrid raptor of the subfamilies Falconinae or Accipitrinae that is legal to possess for falconry as defined under 50 CFR 21.29(e), provided at least two functioning radio transmitters are attached to the bird while it is flown free, and the bird is not released to the wild.

(b) No species of raptor identified in subsection (a) of this section, that is listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern pursuant to section 26-306 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or any species listed as threatened or endangered by the federal government, and no raptor of the genus Aquila (true eagles) or the genus Haliaeetus (sea-eagles), or hybrid thereof, may be used for falconry in Connecticut.

(c) A general or master falconer may acquire a raptor from a migratory bird wildlife rehabilitator, and such bird shall be counted as a wild caught bird. Transfer to the falconer shall be at the discretion of the rehabilitator, and subject to prior approval by the commissioner.

(Adopted effective March 1, 2004; Amended December 9, 2013)