New Delhi, 23 October (H.S.): Another remarkable chapter in the extraordinary migratory journey of birds has been completed, with Amur falcons ‘Apapang’ and ‘Alang’ arriving in Manipur after setting out from their breeding grounds in northeastern China around 11 days ago. The two birds crossed 23 countries across Asia and Africa during their journey. Their return to Manipur marks a significant milestone in nearly a year of tracking and migration research since scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) fitted them with tracking devices in November 2025.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav shared photographs of the two birds on the social media platform X and said that both Amur falcons could spend two to three weeks at selected locations in the hilly areas of Manipur’s Tamenglong district. Local communities in the region eagerly await the migratory birds’ return every year and play a vital role in ensuring their safety and conservation.

During their stay, the Amur falcons will feed on termites emerging in their stopover areas, building up fat reserves in their bodies. These reserves are essential for providing the energy required for their next long-distance flight. After leaving Manipur, the birds will have to cover approximately 6,000 kilometres to reach Somalia. They may remain airborne for nearly six consecutive days during this journey, which includes a stretch of around 3,000 kilometres over the Arabian Sea.

Notably, the Manipur Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India launched the Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project in November 2025 to understand the birds’ migratory routes, behaviour and long-distance flight patterns. The initiative is helping scientists establish the routes these birds follow, identify their stopover locations and understand how they sustain their journeys during prolonged flights over the sea.

During the second phase of the project in November 2025, three Amur falcons were fitted with satellite transmitters and released from the Chiuluan roosting site in Manipur’s Tamenglong district. The birds included Apapang, a male, and two females, Ahu and Alang. By monitoring their movements, scientists gathered valuable information about their intercontinental migration. The return of Apapang and Alang to Manipur will enable researchers to advance their understanding of the birds’ complete migratory cycle.

Amur falcons are renowned for their extraordinary long-distance migrations. These small birds travel thousands of kilometres in response to seasonal changes and food availability. Their journey from China across Asia and into Africa highlights the importance of international cooperation in wildlife conservation and the scientific monitoring of migratory species.

The involvement of local communities in Tamenglong, Manipur, remains crucial to the conservation of these birds. The annual anticipation of their return and sustained efforts to ensure their safe migration demonstrate how community participation can contribute significantly to the protection of migratory wildlife.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar