Amur Falcons Complete 20,000-Kilometer Migration and Prepare for Arabian Sea Crossing in Manipur

Key facts

• Two satellite-tagged Amur falcons, Apapang and Alang, safely returned to their stopover at Chiuluan village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav confirmed.
• Amur falcons complete a round-trip migration of approximately 20,000 kilometers between breeding grounds in northeastern China and wintering habitats in southern Africa, passing through Manipur.
• These tiny raptors weigh about 160 grams, which is comparable to the weight of a smartphone.
• The species is strictly protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The joint satellite-tracking project is being conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Manipur Forest Department to safeguard key roosting habitats.
• During their stopover in Manipur, the falcons gorge on termites and insects for two to three weeks to build fat reserves for the next leg of their journey.
• The next phase of the migration involves a non-stop 6,000-kilometer flight across the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea towards Somalia, lasting 95 hours.