Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Amur Falcons Embark on Epic Migration from India to Africa
Imagine tiny birds, called Amur falcons, that travel super far every year from places like Russia and China all the way to South Africa!
They have a very important stop in Northeast India to eat lots and lots of termites, which are like super energy snacks for them.
Scientists put tiny trackers on some of these birds, like Apapang, Alang, and Ahu, to follow their amazing trip.
This year, Apapang flew for three whole days without stopping, flying over 3,000 kilometers across the big Arabian Sea!
It's a really tough flight, but these little falcons are very strong.
People in India used to hunt these birds, but now they help protect them.
It shows how important it is to keep safe places for animals during their long journeys.
At least three GPS-tagged Amur falcons (Apapang, Alang, Ahu) began their annual migration from India to Africa.
The birds were satellite-tagged on November 11, 2025, as part of the Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project.
The migration includes a demanding 3,000 km non-stop flight across the Arabian Sea to Somalia.
Amur falcons rely heavily on termites found in Northeast India to build energy reserves for their long journey.
Conservation efforts in India have shifted from hunting to protection, turning stopover sites into crucial safe havens for these birds.
- Who
- Three GPS-tagged Amur falcons named Apapang, Alang, and Ahu, as well as thousands of other Amur falcons.
- What
- Began their annual migration journey from India to Africa, including a challenging non-stop flight across the Arabian Sea.
- When
- November 11, 2025 (tagging date), with migration occurring annually in November.
- Where
- Migrating from India (specifically Northeast India, including Manipur) to Africa (headed towards Somalia and eventually South Africa).
- Why
- To reach their wintering grounds in South Africa, utilizing abundant food sources (termites) in Northeast India to build energy reserves for the arduous journey.
Past Conservation Challenges
Current Conservation Successes
Hunting Practices
Past Conservation Challenges
Amur falcons were hunted in large numbers across parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam during their winter stopovers a decade ago.
Current Conservation Successes
Villages, once sites of hunting, now shelter the birds and participate in tagging efforts, demonstrating a significant shift in conservation attitudes.
Conservation Impact
Past Conservation Challenges
Hunting posed a significant threat to Amur falcon populations during their stopovers.
Current Conservation Successes
Conservation work, including tracking projects by the Wildlife Institute of India, has transformed these birds into fiercely protected migrants and made India's protection of stopover sites a global conservation story.
- Species
- Amur falcons
- Tagged Falcons
- Apapang (male), Alang (female), Ahu (female)
- Tagging Date
- November 11, 2025
- Migration Route
- India to Africa, including a 3,000 km oceanic crossing over the Arabian Sea to Somalia
- Diet during stopover
- 85% termites
- Conservation Project
- Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project (Wildlife Institute of India)