Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) – A Detailed Study

The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small raptor belonging to the family Falconidae. This migratory bird is known for one of the longest migratory routes in the avian world, traveling from eastern Asia to southern Africa. Below is a detailed account of its taxonomy, morphology, habitat, behavior, and its presence in Sundarban.

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1. Taxonomy & Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Falconiformes
• Family: Falconidae
• Genus: Falco
• Species: Falco amurensis

The Amur Falcon was earlier considered conspecific with the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), but detailed studies led to its classification as a distinct species.

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2. Morphology & Identification

The Amur Falcon is a medium-sized falcon with distinct sexual dimorphism, making males and females easily distinguishable.

Male

• Dark slate-gray plumage on the upper body
• Bright rufous (orange) underparts and thighs
• Red legs and cere (base of the beak)
• White underwings with black tips

Female

• More brownish upperparts with streaks
• Pale underparts with heavy streaking
• White head with a black streak behind the eye

Juvenile

• Similar to females but with more uniform brown streaking

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3. Habitat & Distribution

Breeding Grounds

The Amur Falcon breeds in:

• Eastern Russia
• Northern China
• Mongolia

Migration Route

The bird undertakes a spectacular migration covering over 22,000 km, moving from Asia to Africa. It follows this path:

• Breeds in East Asia (Russia, China, Mongolia)
• Crosses India, Bangladesh, Myanmar
• Flies over the Arabian Sea (a non-stop journey of ~3,000 km)
• Winters in southern Africa

Wintering Grounds

• South Africa
• Botswana
• Zambia

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4. Diet & Hunting Behavior

The Amur Falcon is primarily insectivorous, with its diet consisting of:

• Termites
• Grasshoppers
• Beetles
• Moths

It often hunts in open grasslands and agricultural fields, catching prey in mid-air or picking from the ground.

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5. Unique Features & Adaptations

• One of the Longest Migration Routes: It covers an epic 22,000 km migration annually.
• Nocturnal Overwater Flight: During migration, it flies non-stop over the Arabian Sea, relying on stored fat reserves.
• High Roosting Density: During migration stops (especially in India), thousands of falcons roost in a single area.
• Social Behavior: Unlike many raptors, Amur Falcons migrate and roost in large flocks.

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6. Conservation Status & Threats

• IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
• Major Threats:
  • Illegal hunting during migration, especially in Nagaland, India (though conservation efforts have reduced this).
  • Habitat destruction due to deforestation and urbanization.
  • Climate change, which may affect insect populations and migration routes.

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7. Presence of Amur Falcon in Sundarban

The Sundarban, a vast mangrove ecosystem in India and Bangladesh, is not a primary habitat for Amur Falcons, but they pass through this region during their migration season.

Why Do Amur Falcons Appear in Sundarban?

• Resting Ground: Sundarban, with its diverse ecosystem, provides a temporary stopover site for migrating falcons.
• Insect Abundance: The region has a rich population of insects, making it a potential feeding area.
• Climate Suitability: During migration, some individuals may take alternative routes, passing over the Sundarban delta before heading westward.

Sightings in Sundarban

Though Amur Falcons are not commonly seen in Sundarban compared to other regions of India, occasional records exist. Bird watchers and ornithologists have reported sightings mainly in:

• Western edges of Sundarban (near Sagar Island)
• Coastal areas of the delta during pre-winter migration (September–November)

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To learn more, head over to Wikipedia at this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_falcon

The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is a remarkable bird, known for its extraordinary migration journey, impressive hunting skills, and adaptability. While it does not breed in Sundarban, the mangrove region occasionally serves as a resting and feeding stop during migration. Conservation efforts across its range, particularly in India, are crucial to ensuring its safe migration in the future.

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