Frightful is a female peregrine falcon who was raised by a human boy. Because she imprinted on him as a hatchling, she considers him her mother. She possesses impressive physical strength and fierce hunting ability. She experiences confusion when separated from her human family, finding it difficult to reconcile her natural wild instincts with her deep loyalty to the boy who raised her.

Sam is a young teenager living independently on a mountain in the Catskills. He is an expert outdoorsman with a profound respect for the natural world. Having raised a falcon from a chick, he understands bird calls and body language. He values animal freedom over his own desire for companionship, choosing what is best for the ecosystem over his personal attachments.

Chup is a male peregrine falcon, also known as a tiercel. He lives on a cliff ledge and is currently raising three young chicks alone after the loss of his first mate. He models natural falcon behavior, demonstrating how to hunt and care for offspring in the wild.

Bate is a poacher who captures protected birds of prey to sell them on the black market. He views animals purely as a source of profit and actively seeks to trap valuable falcons. He operates out of abandoned cabins to avoid law enforcement.

Skri is a Saudi Arabian falcon agent who purchases birds from poachers. He represents the illegal, international trade of endangered birds of prey.

Alice is Sam's younger sister who lives permanently on the mountain with him. She is adventurous and comfortable in the wild, helping her brother with chores and occasionally interacting with the local wildlife. She works on a neighboring farm and keeps a pet pig.

Mole is a dog who instinctively hunts in the open fields. He serves as a practical hunting partner for birds of prey, scaring animals out of the brush so they can be caught from the air. He is wary of humans and prefers his freedom to wearing a leash.

Jon is a licensed master falconer who lives on White Man Mountain. He rescues and rehabilitates injured birds of prey. He actively petitions local utility companies to change their dangerous pole wiring to protect wildlife.

Susan is Jon's wife and a dedicated conservationist. She works alongside her husband to care for birds of prey. She regularly brings the birds to elementary schools to educate children about environmental hazards.

He is a male peregrine falcon raised in captivity and released into the wild by a conservationist. He wears a numbered leg band that gives him his name, representing the human effort to repopulate endangered species.

Molly is a ten-year-old child living in Delhi who takes a strong interest in local falcons. She is observant and eager to learn about nature, participating in efforts to protect wildlife in her community.

Leon is the local conservation officer for Delhi. He educates the town's children about falcons and works to enforce environmental protections within the community. He encourages young people to get involved in local ecology.

Drum is a male eyas, or baby falcon, living in a nest above the Schoharie Valley. He is entirely dependent on his parents for food and warmth as he learns the survival skills necessary for life in the wild.

Duchess is a female eyas who shares a cliff ledge nest with her brother and sister. She learns to be fiercely competitive for food as a natural part of her development into a wild bird of prey.

Lady is a female eyas developing her survival instincts on the cliff ledge. Like her siblings, she faces the harsh realities of hunger and competition as she grows feathers and prepares to fly.

Bando is an adult friend of Sam who occasionally visits the mountain. He supports Sam's independent lifestyle and shares his appreciation for the wilderness.

Spud is a poacher who assists in the trapping and illegal sale of falcons. He operates strictly for financial gain, ignoring the ecological damage caused by removing endangered birds from the wild.

Peter is a local conservation officer who monitors the region for illegal hunting. He coordinates with other officers to investigate reports of poaching.

Joe is a bridge repairman tasked with fulfilling a state governor's order. He focuses strictly on completing his industrial job, initially viewing wildlife concerns as secondary to his work orders.

Dan is a bridge worker with a casual interest in falcons. He notices irregularities around the construction site and eventually becomes sympathetic to the local wildlife preservation efforts.