Amur Falcons, the longest traveling raptors in the world, migrating in large flocks, reached the Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh as part of their annual migration.

The migratory avian species arrived at Nuisa village in the district on October 18, covering an aerial distance of over 3,700 kilometers from south-eastern Siberia, and will fly to South Africa after reposing in Tirap for more than two weeks.

According to the Chief Conservator of Forest of Southern Arunachal circle – Chimoy Simai, “Besides Nuisa, we have also recorded the presence of the birds at nearby sites like Mintong, Pangchau, and Wakka in the district.” Simai has been visiting all the roosting sites since October 18.

“Every evening, these avian predators engage in a feeding frenzy on specific sorts of termites that surface only on sunny days,” the official said.

The chief conservator has instructed the Kanubari forest division to launch an awareness drive to prevent any human disturbance with the roosting ground.

He said that the birds stay atop hills at an elevation of 1,090 meters and descend on sunny days to feast on the termites.

The Range Forest Officer (RFO) and staffs are closely monitoring the migratory birds as incessant rain has severely disrupted the feeding frenzy. As a preventive measure, the forest department has seized 28 catapults from adjacent settlements.

The official informed that a 12-member team consisting of the village chief, Gaon Burahs (GBs), PRI members, and students, headed by forest staff will visit Pangti in Nagaland on November 7.

Pangti Village in Nagaland’s Wokha District has successfully embraced numerous conservation techniques and scientifically managed the roosting site, where the migratory birds sojourn in massive numbers.

It is worth noting that Amur Falcons cross boundaries to reach its safe haven and stopover – the Pangti village in Nagaland, popularly known as “Falcon Capital Of The World”.

Scientifically termed as ‘Falco amurensis’, the large flocks of Amur Falcons are considered as a great spectacle by wildlife enthusiasts. Covering one of the longest migration routes, these birds have been marked under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Amur Falcons breed in Southeast Russia and northern China, thereby migrating to the west through India and across the Arabian Sea to southern Africa where they spend their winters, making a round-trip of at least 30,000 km every year, travelling between their breeding and wintering grounds.