Imphal: An Amur Falcon, radio-tagged in Manipur in November last year, has started its journey back to Siberia after spending 114 days in Southern Africa, according to scientists.
The bird, named ‘Chiuluan 2,’ was radio-tagged alongside another Amur Falcon named ‘Guangram’ by scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Tamenglong district.
These names honour two roosting villages in the district.
WII senior scientist Suresh Kumar, who is tracking the bird’s migration, stated that Chiuluan 2 commenced its northward journey from Botswana on April 8.
The bird has already crossed Zimbabwe and Tanzania and is currently near the Kenya-Somalia border.
Chiuluan 2 initially departed Manipur on November 8, 2024, reaching South Africa by December 20 after a remarkable flight.
It spent 46 days in Botswana’s Central Kalahari Reserve before starting its return migration.
“I expect Chiuluan 2 to begin its oceanic crossing in about 10 days,” Kumar said.
The bird’s migration route includes stops across Bangladesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra, before crossing the Arabian Sea to reach East Africa.
It had last roosted in the Tamenglong district on November 8 before its southward journey.
According to Tamenglong Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kh Hitler Singh, Amur Falcons bypass Tamenglong during their return journey to Siberia, heading directly to their breeding grounds along the Amur River.
Meanwhile, the other radio-tagged bird, Guangram, stopped transmitting satellite data near Kenya in December 2024.
Amur Falcons migrate approximately 22,000 kms annually, escaping Siberia’s harsh winters to spend time in Southern Africa.
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These birds travel 14,500 kms to reach their wintering grounds before returning north in April-May.
The research aims to study the migratory behaviour of one of the world’s longest-traveling birds.
After arriving in India, the falcons stop in Nagaland, Manipur, and other parts of the Northeast for about 45 days, feeding intensively to prepare for their grueling journey.
The Amur Falcon is locally known as ‘Akhuaipuina’ in the region, symbolising the remarkable endurance of this avian traveller.
