Amur Falcon Completes 5000km Migration from India to Somalia in 5 Days
In an extraordinary feat of endurance, a tiny Amur falcon has completed a 5000-kilometer migratory journey from India to Somalia in just over five days, averaging nearly 1000 kilometers per day across the Arabian Sea.
Key Takeaways
- Amur falcon named Apapang covered 5000km from India to Somalia in 5+ days
- Birds were tagged as part of Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project
- Apapang previously completed similar 5400km journey in 5 days, 15 hours
- Species was once endangered, now protected by Manipur villagers
The Remarkable Journey
Three Amur falcons – Apapang (adult male), Alang (young female), and Ahu (adult female) – were tracked by wildlife scientists during their migration from Manipur to Africa. The birds demonstrated exceptional long-distance flying capabilities while crossing the expansive Arabian Sea.
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Environment Climate Change & Forests department, announced the achievement on social media platform X, noting that Apapang had completed this challenging oceanic crossing multiple times.
“Apapang has now done nearly 5400 km, and it has taken him 5 days and 15 hours,” Sahu wrote in her post.
Tracking Project Details
The birds were tagged on November 11 as part of the Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project (Phase 2) led by the Wildlife Institute of India. Scientists monitored their journey from Manipur’s forests to East Africa, facing extreme migratory challenges.
Apapang particularly impressed researchers with his flight capabilities despite weighing only 150 grams. Shortly after being tagged, he covered over 3,000 kilometers in just 76 hours while flying across central India.
Conservation Success Story
The Amur falcon’s journey represents a significant conservation victory. Once endangered due to excessive hunting, the species now receives protection from Manipur’s local communities, who view the annual falcon migration as a symbol of pride and .
