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Three satellite-tagged Amur falcons have completed an extraordinary nonstop migration from Manipur, India, to Somalia, covering around 5,400 kilometers in just over five days. Scientists are calling it one of the most impressive long-distance endurance flights ever recorded in the natural world. The three birds—Apapang, an adult male; Alang, a young female; and Ahu, an adult female—began their journey on November 11. Before they took off, researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India fitted them with tiny satellite transmitters, each weighing only 3.5 grams. These devices allowed scientists to track the birds in real time as they crossed central India and then the vast Arabian Sea, where they had no chance to stop, rest, or feed.
Apapang reached Somalia first, finishing the journey in just 5 days and 15 hours. That means he covered nearly 1,000 kilometers every single day. Alang and Ahu landed shortly after, completing their ocean crossing and arriving safely in East Africa. For scientists, these flights are incredible not only because of the distance but also because the birds travel nonstop over the sea, with no access to food or water. Because they cannot land on water, their survival depends entirely on the fat they store before leaving India.
According to Dr. Suresh from the Wildlife Institute of India, the falcons’ energy comes mainly from the huge amount of termites they feed on in Manipur and Nagaland before beginning migration. These insects allow the birds to build fat reserves that act like a fuel tank for their long, uninterrupted flight. Without this feeding phase, the birds would not survive the harsh oceanic stretch. Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu, who shared tracking updates online, described the birds’ journey as breathtaking. She also confirmed that their route matches the ancient migratory paths recorded in previous studies. Last year, other tagged Amur falcons followed similar routes to Guinea and Somalia before returning to their breeding grounds in Siberia.
Just a few years ago, the Amur falcon faced serious threats in Northeast India. Thousands were hunted during migration season, especially in roosting sites across Nagaland. But the situation has changed dramatically thanks to community-led conservation. Today, local villagers protect the birds, celebrate their arrival, and work with forest officials to ensure the species remains safe. The shift from hunting to conservation is considered one of India’s biggest wildlife success stories. In Manipur’s Noney district, officials have even placed a temporary hunting ban and asked residents to surrender airguns until November 30 to provide safe passage for the migrating falcons.
Despite weighing only around 150 grams—lighter than a smartphone—Amur falcons perform one of the longest nonstop migrations of any bird. Scientists say tracking them provides crucial information about where they stop, how climate changes affect their route, and what international cooperation is needed to keep them safe. Because these birds travel through multiple countries every year, understanding their movements helps conservation teams plan better protection strategies.
Now that all three tagged birds have successfully reached Somalia, researchers are excited. Their journey gives rare insight into how these small raptors navigate across continents, survive days of continuous flight, and return to the same ancient routes year after year. The data will help scientists understand not only the stamina of the Amur falcon but also how the species adapts to environmental changes that could affect migration patterns in the future. For now, the arrival of Apapang, Alang, and Ahu in Somalia is being celebrated by researchers, conservationists, and local communities who have worked hard to protect one of the world’s most remarkable migratory birds.