As she grows through the first years of her life in the Catskill Mountains of New York, a perefrine falcon called Frightfull interacts with various humans, including the boy who raised her, a falconer who recscues her and several unscrupulous poachers, as well as with many animals that are part of the area's ecological balance.

Sam's peaceful existence in his wilderness home is disrupted when his sister runs away and his pet falcon is confiscated by a conservation officer.