Washington Administrative Code
Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of
WILDLIFE
Chapter 220-420 - Falconry
Section 220-420-210 - Banding or microchip tagging raptors used in falconry
Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) If a falconer takes a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), or gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) from the wild or acquires one from a rehabilitator, it must be banded with a permanent, nonreusable, numbered U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leg band that the department will supply. If desired by the falconer, he/she may purchase and implant an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) compliant (134.2 kHz) microchip in the raptor in lieu of a band. The falconer must report the action and the band number and/or microchip information within ten days.
(2) A raptor bred in captivity must be banded with a seamless metal band or have an implanted ISO-compliant (134.2 kHz) microchip. If a seamless band is removed, or if it is lost, report it and request a replacement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nonreusable band from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The falconer must report the action and the band number and the microchip information within ten days.
(3) A seamless band does not need to be applied until a nestling has developed sufficiently for the band to remain in place.
(4) If the band must be removed or is lost from a raptor in possession, report the loss of the band within five days, and request a replacement U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nonreusable band from the department. Report the rebanding immediately.
(5) It is unlawful to alter, deface, or counterfeit a band. A falconer may smooth any imperfect surface on the rear tab of a band on a raptor taken from the wild if that action does not affect the integrity of the band or the numbering on it.
(6) If health or injury problems are documented for a raptor in possession that is caused by the band, the department will provide an exemption to the requirement for that raptor. In that case, the falconer shall keep and possess a copy of the exemption paperwork with him/her when transporting or flying the raptor. If the raptor is a wild goshawk, Harris's hawk, peregrine falcon, or gyrfalcon, the band must be replaced with an ISO-compliant microchip purchased by the falconer.
(7) A raptor removed from the wild shall not be banded with a seamless numbered band.
Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.210, and C.F.R. Title 50, Part 21, Subpart C, Section 21.29; Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 10-18-012 (Order 10-214), § 232-30-310, filed 8/20/10, effective 9/20/10.
