Amur Falcon Migration: UPSC Current Affairs

Q: What is the Amur Falcon?

The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small, insectivorous raptor renowned for undertaking one of the longest and most arduous trans-equatorial migrations of any bird, traveling up to 22,000 km annually.

Description

Why In News?

A Amur Falcon named Apapang completed a record-breaking 4,750 km non-stop, 95-hour flight from Somalia to Bihar, as part of a tracking project to study migratory patterns.

About AMUR FALCON

Scientific Name: Falco amurensis.

Physical Characteristics: It is a small raptor, weighing around 150 grams.

Adult males are dark sooty grey with rufous (chestnut) thighs and vent.
Females share a common falcon pattern but are distinct due to their orange eye-ring, red cere, and reddish-orange feet.

Protection Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (due to a wide breeding range and large population size).
Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972: Protected under Schedule I, which grants it the highest level of legal protection in India.
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): India is a signatory, obliging the government to protect the species during its stopovers.

Ecological Role and Diet

Diet: The Amur falcon is insectivorous. During migration, they feed heavily on termites (like Odontotermes feae), locusts, ants, and beetles.
Migration Synchronization: Their Arabian Sea crossing is perfectly timed with the migration of dragonflies (Pantala flavescens), providing vital mid-flight sustenance.
Ecological Significance: They play a crucial role in pest control by regulating insect populations.

Distribution and Migration

Breeding Grounds: They spend the summer (May–August) in Southeastern Siberia and Northern China.
The First Leg: In autumn, they fly south through Northeast India.
The Great Stopover: Millions congregate at the Doyang Reservoir in Nagaland (and parts of Manipur) to fatten up on insects.
The Ocean Crossing: From India, they fly non-stop across the Arabian Sea to the Horn of Africa (Somalia/Kenya). This is a 3,000 km+ continuous flight over water.
Wintering Grounds: They spend the winter (November–March) in Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana).
The Return: In spring, they head back to Siberia, taking a more overland route through East Africa and West Asia.

Threats and Conservation Success

Threats: The flocking behavior of the Amur falcon exposed them to mass hunting.

In 2012, it was estimated that 120,000 to 140,000 birds were trapped and killed for food and profit in Pangti village, Nagaland, within just 10 days.

The Pangti Conservation Model: After a global campaign, local authorities and the Pangti Village Council (Nagaland) banned hunting.

Hunters turned into active protectors, local institutions collaborated, and ecotourism brought a sense of pride to the community.
Surrounding communities in Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam have since begun setting aside lands for biodiversity protection.

Falcon Festivals: To raise awareness and celebrate the bird, annual "Falcon Festivals" are held across the Northeast.

Source: INDIATODAY

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Amur Falcon:

1. It is categorized as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List.

2. It undertakes the longest continuous ocean crossing among birds of prey.

3. The Doyang reservoir in Nagaland is a significant stopover site for this bird.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Amur Falcon is categorized as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List.

Statement 2 is correct: The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is known for undertaking one of the most remarkable migrations of any bird of prey. It flies roughly 22,000 km annually, including a continuous ocean crossing across the Indian Ocean from India to East Africa, which is the longest for any raptor.

Statement 3 is correct: The Doyang reservoir in Wokha district, Nagaland, is a globally significant stopover site. This has earned Nagaland the title "Falcon Capital of the World".

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small, insectivorous raptor renowned for undertaking one of the longest and most arduous trans-equatorial migrations of any bird, traveling up to 22,000 km annually.

It is protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List.

Major stopovers include the Doyang reservoir in Nagaland and areas along the Barak and Irang rivers in the Tamenglong district of Manipur (such as Chiulon, Phalong, and Puching villages).