AMUR FALCONS

Description

Copyright infringement not intended

Context: Amur falcons, the world’s longest travelling raptors, began to arrive in Manipur’s Tamenglong district as part of its annual routine migration.

Details:

Locally known as Akhuipuina, the bird arrives mainly in Manipur and Nagalandon its southbound migration from breeding grounds in North China, Eastern Mongolia and far-east Russia en-route to its wintering grounds in South Africa.
The one-way journey via India is about 20,000 km long and the birds do this twice a year.
Amur falcon is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and included under its Schedule IV.
Hunting of the birds or possessing its meat is punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to Rs 5,000.
In 2018, the forest department started a conservation programme by radio-tagging the birds to study their migratory route.
IUCN status is Least Concern.