amur falcon

The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is a remarkable small raptor belonging to the falcon family. This species is celebrated by birdwatchers for its incredible endurance, performing one of the longest migration journeys of any bird of prey, traveling from East Asia to Southern Africa annually.

The Amur Falcon is a small bird of prey, measuring between 28-31 cm in length. Males are distinct with their dark sooty brown plumage and a characteristic chestnut vent. A key identifier for males is their white under-wing coverts, which distinguishes them from the Red-footed Falcon. Females feature a typical falcon head pattern with a grey crown and barring on the lower belly. Both sexes, as well as juveniles, are easily identified by their striking red cere and feet.

These falcons prefer open country and are highly gregarious. They are known for being crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. During their migration and wintering periods, they form massive communal roosts, often sharing space with Lesser Kestrels in savanna and grassland environments.

The Amur Falcon is primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of insects such as termites, locusts, ants, and beetles. They are agile hunters that capture prey in flight, sometimes by hovering or hawking insects in the air. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with small birds, mammals, and amphibians. Notably, their migration over the Arabian Sea is timed to coincide with dragonfly migrations, which serve as a vital food source during the journey.

This species breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China. Unlike their winter diet, the breeding season requires more protein-rich food for their young, leading them to hunt small vertebrates. They typically utilize abandoned nests of other birds, such as corvids, located in woodland patches within open landscapes.

Amur Falcons are highly social and are rarely seen alone. They are famous for their massive stopover gatherings where hundreds of thousands of birds congregate. They exhibit sophisticated flight patterns, including hovering and rapid dives to catch insects. Their crepuscular nature means they are most active when insect activity is high during twilight.

The Amur Falcon is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, they were once threatened by large-scale trapping during migration stopovers. Thanks to intense international conservation efforts and local community involvement, particularly in India, these practices have been largely halted, making it a success story for raptor conservation.

1. The Amur Falcon completes an 11,000 km migration, including a non-stop flight across the Arabian Sea.
2. Their migration is perfectly synchronized with the migration of the Globe Skimmer dragonfly.
3. A single roosting site in Nagaland, India, has been known to host over a million falcons at once.
4. The white under-wing coverts of the male are the best way to distinguish it from the Red-footed Falcon in flight.

• Look for them in open grasslands or perched on telegraph wires during migration seasons.
• The best time for sightings is during the late afternoon or early morning when they are hunting.
• Use the red feet and cere as a primary identification mark to separate them from other small falcons.
• If you see a dark falcon, check the under-wing coverts; white indicates an Amur male, while grey indicates a Red-footed male.

The Amur Falcon is a testament to the wonders of avian migration and resilience. From the forests of Siberia to the plains of Southern Africa, this small but mighty raptor continues to capture the imagination of the global birding community with its spectacular social behavior and trans-oceanic journeys.