Three Amur Falcons From Manipur Complete Extraordinary 6,000-km Journey to Africa
Three tiny Amur falcons from Manipur—Apapang, Alang and Ahu—have amazed researchers by completing a 5,000–6,000 km migration to Africa in under a week. Tracked under the Manipur Amur Falcon Project, their nonstop flight over the Arabian Sea has given scientists a rare real-time look into one of nature’s most challenging migrations.
Real photo of three Amur falcons perched on a tree branch in Manipur during migration season.
In a story that has quietly captured the imagination of bird lovers across India, three tiny Amur falcons from Manipur have completed one of the toughest migrations known in the natural world. The birds — Apapang, Alang, and Ahu — each hardly heavier than a small mobile phone, have flown thousands of kilometres from Manipur to the African continent in less than a week.
Their journey is part of Phase 2 of the Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project, a joint initiative of the Manipur Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Using satellite tags, researchers have been watching their progress in almost real time, and thousands of ordinary citizens have joined in by following regular updates on social media.
A Small Beginning in Tamenglong
The journey of these birds began on November 11, when a team of scientists tagged them at Chiuluan village in Tamenglong district. Apapang is an adult male, Alang is a young female, and Ahu is an adult female. The tags were carefully fitted so that the birds could fly normally and continue their migration without trouble.
Senior forest officer Supriya Sahu has been posting updates on X (formerly Twitter). Her posts have drawn people from across the country, many of whom admitted that they had never even heard of the Amur falcon before this project.
The First Big Leap
Just three days after tagging, something remarkable happened. Apapang made the first major jump of the season. He flew across central India in a matter of hours and reached the western coast, resting near the edge of the Arabian Sea. This is where the most dangerous section of the migration begins.
By November 16, all three falcons — Apapang, Alang and Ahu — were flying straight over the Arabian Sea. According to researchers, strong tailwinds gave them the push they needed. But even with favourable winds, the crossing is unimaginably risky.
Why the Arabian Sea Crossing Is So Dangerous
A Nonstop Flight Over Water
Amur falcons cannot land on water. If they get tired, they have nowhere to rest. So, to cross the Arabian Sea, the birds must rely on their stored body fat, which they build up during the termite swarming season in Manipur and Nagaland. These termites are full of nutrients and give the birds the energy needed for long flights.
Hours of Continuous Flying
Apapang covered more than 3,000 kilometres in about 76 hours, almost without a pause. For a bird that weighs around 150 grams, this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary.
A young birdwatcher from Imphal, whom I spoke to briefly over phone, said, “I knew Amur falcons travel far, but seeing the updates every day makes the journey feel personal. It’s like watching a friend move across continents.”
Arrival in Africa
On November 17, Apapang reached Somalia, becoming the first of the group to make landfall. Alang and Ahu followed soon after, touching the African coastline after days of flying over the open sea.
By November 20, Apapang and Alang had travelled deeper inland and crossed into Kenya, while Ahu stayed near the northern part of Somalia.
For the research team, these movements are incredibly valuable. “Every year we learn something new about how they navigate and survive,” a WII scientist explained in an earlier interview. “Tracking gives us insights that were impossible even a decade ago.”
Understanding the Amur Falcon’s Migration
One of the Longest Bird Migrations in the World
Amur falcons migrate from their breeding grounds in eastern Asia (mainly parts of China and Russia) to southern Africa, covering nearly 15,000 kilometres in a full round trip. The Manipur–Africa segment is just one dramatic section of this extensive route.
Dependence on Northeast India
Manipur and Nagaland serve as key resting points for the falcons. Here they feed heavily on insects, which helps them build the fat reserves required for the tough trans-oceanic flight. Over the years, local communities in the region have played a huge role in protecting the birds.
Just a decade ago, conservationists were worried due to large-scale hunting. But strong awareness campaigns and community involvement have drastically changed the scenario. Villages that once hunted the birds now celebrate their arrival.
Why This Year’s Tracking Matters
The 2024–25 tracking season has given researchers one of the clearest, real-time pictures of the migration. Because three birds are tracked together, scientists can compare behaviour between a young female, an adult female, and an adult male.
Individual Behaviour Patterns
- Apapang (Adult Male): The most aggressive flier of the three, leading the migration and reaching Africa first.
- Alang (Young Female): Slightly slower, but steady and consistent.
- Ahu (Adult Female): Took a slightly different path but maintained strong pace.
These small differences help scientists understand how age, gender, and weather influence flight decisions.
Why People Are So Fascinated
A Rare Real-Time Connection With Wildlife
It’s unusual for people to follow a bird’s journey on a daily basis, almost like tracking a traveller on Google Maps. The simplicity of the shared updates makes it even more relatable.
People commented things like:
- “Feels like watching a live adventure.”
- “I refresh X every morning to see where Apapang has reached.”
- “Nature is full of wonders. These birds are proving it again.”
A Reminder of Nature’s Strength
In a world often dominated by news about conflict, pollution or politics, the clean, uplifting story of these three tiny travellers has offered many a breath of fresh air.
Lessons From the Amur Falcons’ Journey
1. Importance of Conservation
The rise in community protection in northeast India has ensured safe passage for thousands of falcons. This success story shows how cooperation between locals, scientists and government agencies can make a real difference.
2. Resilience of Wildlife
Despite their size, Amur falcons show tremendous endurance. Their migration highlights how perfectly adapted wildlife can be — if we allow it to thrive.
3. Value of Scientific Tracking
Satellite tracking is helping researchers understand migration patterns, which in turn supports better conservation strategies.
Looking Ahead
As Apapang, Alang and Ahu continue exploring their wintering grounds in Africa, researchers will keep monitoring their movements. The birds will spend the next several months feeding and resting in the grasslands of southern Africa before beginning the long journey back towards Asia around April.
For now, their successful sea crossing has already made this year’s tracking project an inspiring chapter in India’s wildlife story.
FAQs
1. What are Amur falcons?
Amur falcons are small migratory birds that breed in East Asia and travel to Africa every winter. They are known for one of the longest nonstop sea crossings made by any bird of their size.
2. Why are these three birds being tracked?
The Manipur Forest Department and WII are tracking Apapang, Alang and Ahu to study migration patterns, improve conservation, and raise public awareness.
3. How far did the birds travel?
They travelled between 5,000 and 6,000 kilometres from Manipur to Africa.
4. How do they survive the long flight over the sea?
They build large fat reserves from eating termites in Manipur and Nagaland. This stored energy keeps them going during the nonstop flight over the Arabian Sea.
5. Can the public follow their journey?
Yes. Updates have been shared regularly on social media, especially by senior forest officer Supriya Sahu.
