📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sumeet Moghe
Science
Amur Falcons Complete Manipur-to-Somalia Journey in Record Six Days
✍️ ThePrint
🗓 08 Nov 2026, 04:16 PM
👁 21
A flock of Amur falcons traveled from India's Manipur to Somalia in just six days, showcasing one of the longest seasonal migrations of a raptor species.
The Amur falcon, a small raptor known for its extensive seasonal movements, was observed completing a trans‑continental trek from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur to the Horn of Africa in a span of six days. Ornithologists tracking the birds noted that the flock departed Manipur in early October, following the traditional migratory corridor that takes them over the Bay of Bengal, across the Arabian Sea and finally to the wetlands of Somalia where they winter.
Scientists say the rapid pace of the journey underscores the species' remarkable endurance and navigational abilities. Satellite tagging and ground observations confirm that the birds cover roughly 5,000 kilometres in less than a week, feeding on insects en route and using prevailing wind patterns to aid their flight.
The migration has drawn attention from conservation groups, as Amur falcons face threats from habitat loss and hunting along the route. Efforts are underway in both India and East Africa to protect key stop‑over sites and raise awareness among local communities about the ecological importance of these birds.
The recent sighting aligns with historical records that place Manipur as a crucial spring‑time gathering point for the species before they embark on their long‑haul southward journey. Researchers hope that continued monitoring will provide deeper insights into the timing and routes of this extraordinary migration.
Scientists say the rapid pace of the journey underscores the species' remarkable endurance and navigational abilities. Satellite tagging and ground observations confirm that the birds cover roughly 5,000 kilometres in less than a week, feeding on insects en route and using prevailing wind patterns to aid their flight.
The migration has drawn attention from conservation groups, as Amur falcons face threats from habitat loss and hunting along the route. Efforts are underway in both India and East Africa to protect key stop‑over sites and raise awareness among local communities about the ecological importance of these birds.
The recent sighting aligns with historical records that place Manipur as a crucial spring‑time gathering point for the species before they embark on their long‑haul southward journey. Researchers hope that continued monitoring will provide deeper insights into the timing and routes of this extraordinary migration.