Amur Falcons Successfully Reach Breeding Grounds in Northeast China
Migration Journey of Amur Falcons
One of the two Amur Falcons that reached their breeding region in northeast China. (AT Photo)
Imphal, Sept 5: Two of the three Amur Falcons, which were fitted with satellite tags and released from Manipur last year, have successfully arrived at their breeding grounds in northeast China after completing their migration from southern Africa, as reported by scientists tracking their journey.
Dr. Suresh Kumar from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun confirmed that the male falcon named “Apapang” and the female “Alang” have reached their designated breeding area in northeast China, specifically the Manchurian Steppe.
This initiative is part of a satellite-tagging project conducted by the Tamenglong forest division in partnership with the WII, aimed at studying the impressive migration patterns of the Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis).
On November 11, 2025, three falcons—Apapang, Ahu, and Alang—were tagged and released from Chiuluan village in Tamenglong district. Their names were inspired by local geographical features.
While Apapang and Alang successfully completed their migration, contact with Ahu, the female falcon, was lost during its journey through Somalia.
After spending over four months in southern Africa, Apapang and Alang began their spring migration, which included a non-stop flight over the Arabian Sea and through India's Northeast.
This satellite-tagging program is recognized as a significant conservation effort that involves local communities. In May, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav praised the initiative as one of India's successful community-led conservation projects.
The radio-tagging program was initiated by the Tamenglong forest division in collaboration with the WII back in November 2018. Since then, more than a dozen Amur Falcons have been tagged to enhance understanding of their migration patterns and behaviors.
Known locally as Akhuaipuina or Taomuanpui, Amur Falcons are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. These raptors, roughly the size of pigeons, undertake one of the longest migrations globally, traveling approximately 20,000 km annually between their breeding grounds in southeast Russia and northeast China and their wintering habitats in southern Africa.
These birds typically arrive in large numbers in Nagaland and Manipur, along with a few other locations in the Northeast, around October. After several weeks of feeding and building energy reserves, they depart in November for their challenging journey to Africa, where they winter before starting their return migration in April-May.