Photo by Amur Fracon “Ciuluan 2” mordecai_panmei/instagram
In yet another testimony of the extraordinary durability of migratory birds, the satellite-tagged Amur Falcon, named “Ciuluan 2,” completed a distance of about 3,800 km in one non-stop flight. The above flight took me from Somalia to India in just 93 hours.
Between breeding sites in Siberia, northern China and Mongolia and wintering habitats in South Africa, the Amur Falcons generally travel around 20,000 km a year, making them one of the world's longest migrant migrants for birds. Effective surveillance of “Chiuluan 2” gives scientists important information about the species' travel path, rest stops, and the difficulties they encounter on long-term travel.
“Qiuulang 2” Journey
Male Amur Falcon, “Ciuluan 2” was tagged on the radio in November 2024 in Manipur's Tamenlong district as part of a joint study by the Manipur Forest Service, the Indian Wildlife Research Institute (WII) and the community. After spending about 114 days in South Africa, the bird embarked on a northbound journey from Botswana on April 8, 2025.
The Falcon journey includes a terrifying non-stop flight across the Arabian Sea, covering approximately 3,800 km in just 93 hours. This leg of migration was seen before “Chiuulang 2” arriving in Gujarat, India, continued his journey towards the northeastern region of the country.
Conservation efforts
The goal of the Satellite Tag Project is to provide insight into the Amur Falcons' migration pathways and difficulties. These patterns need to be understood in order to develop successful conservation measures to protect species and their ecosystems. Cooperation between local communities, government agencies and research facilities is essential for these migratory birds to survive.
The incredible voyage of “Chiuluan 2” highlights the importance of ongoing research and conservation initiatives, in addition to showing Amur Falcon's tenacity and navigation skills. International cooperation is important to protect the future of these birds. Because their survival depends on the conservation of habitat throughout the migratory bird pathway across the continent.
