In an extraordinary feat of endurance, three satellite-tagged Amur Falcons from the forests of Manipur have completed one of the most remarkable long-distance migrations recorded in the natural world. Each bird, weighing only about 150 grams, travelled thousands of kilometres across land and sea, reaching East Africa in less than a week, leaving scientists astonished by their resilience and navigational precision. The three falcons—Apapang, Alang and Ahu—were tagged earlier this year as part of a conservation project aimed at understanding the migratory behaviour of the species. Their recent movement, tracked through satellite signals, has brought global attention to their exceptional stamina.
Leading this year’s journey is Apapang (orange tag), whose performance has surpassed previous records for small raptors. According to data received by researchers, Apapang covered an uninterrupted 6,100 kilometres in six days and eight hours, flying from Manipur across the Indian peninsula, over the Arabian Sea and the Horn of Africa before touching down in Kenya. Experts say this ranks among the longest non-stop flights ever documented for a bird of its size. Close behind her was Alang, tagged in yellow, who completed a 5,600-kilometre journey in six days and fourteen hours. She made a brief stop for the night in Telangana and a short three-hour pause in Maharashtra before taking off again for her transoceanic passage. Scientists note that her achievement is especially significant because she is a first-time migrant, yet demonstrated remarkable precision in her flight path.
The third falcon, Ahu, carrying a red tag, followed a slightly different route. She made one halt in western Bangladesh before heading over the Arabian Sea. She has completed 5,100 kilometres in five days and fourteen hours and is presently positioned near the northern edge of Somalia. Researchers expect her to reunite with the other two falcons in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, a regular wintering site for the species. These journeys once again show why the Amur Falcon is celebrated as the “tiny long-distance voyager.” Every year, thousands of these birds travel from East Asia to Africa through India, undertaking long non-stop flights over challenging landscapes and open ocean. Their remarkable annual migration underscores the importance of protecting international flyways that link ecosystems across continents.
