AMUR FALCONS

Nov. 25, 2018

Amur falcons from Siberia have started descending in Nagaland for a two-month roosting period before flying off to warmer climes in Africa.

About:

  • Scientific name: Falco amurensis.

  • They are small raptors of the falcon family. Raptors are birds that hunt invertebrates and vertebrates including other birds.

  • Their diet consists mainly of insects, such as termites. They have red feet.

  • Distribution: They breed in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China, wintering in Southern Africa.

  • Migration Journey: They have one of the longest migration routes, flying almost 22,000 km up and down their breeding and wintering grounds.
    • They start their journey from South – eastern Siberia and northern China.

    • Then en route, in the month of October to November, a large number of Amur falcons arrive in the northeast India, especially near the Doyang reservoir in Wokha district of Nagaland in Nagaland for roosting (sleeping/resting).
      • On their return flight they fly over Bangladesh and Myanmar after entering India but skip Nagaland.



    • And then they travel to Africa which is their final destination. In Africa they go to Somalia, Kenya and South Africa.



  • IUCN status: Least Concern.

  • Protection:
    • They are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

    • The Nagaland government hosted the first Amur Falcon Conservation Week from November 8 to 10.



Source : The Hindu

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