Satellite-tagged Falcons reach Somalia from Manipur

The two avians covered 5,700 km and 5,400 km respectively in a five-and-half-day non-stop flight

TAMENGLONG (Manipur): The Amur falcons that left Manipur have already reached their second last destination — Somalia. As it happens every year, these avians (Falcon amurensis) roosted in the Tamenglong district of Manipur during the last part of October and the first part of November.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Tamenglong, Kharibam Hitler Singh, said through a Facebook post that two of the birds, 'Chiulon' and 'Irang' were satellite radio-tagged last year. This was done to study the migratory birds with the 'Wildlife Institute of India'. Both the radio-tagged birds are safe and active. It is now known through the radio tagging devices that the birds are in Somalia.

Last week, Union Minister of Forest and Environment, Prakash Javadekar tweeted by sharing a picture of these falcons' journey towards Africa, "After spending close to 20 days in Manipur and adjoining areas, the two satellite-tagged Amur falcons – Chiulon and Irang – were out on their second-year migration on November 11 and 12.

"They have now reached Somalia covering 5,700 km and 5,400 km respectively, in a five-and-half-day non-stop flight."

Officials at the 'Wildlife Institute of India' said that 'Chiulon' left from Manipur while 'Irang' left from the Bangladesh border. Chiulon is named after a village in Tamenglong, Manipur; and Irang is named after a river.

The Amur falcons spend their summers in northern China and winters in South Africa. On their way to South Africa, these birds make a stop in the north-eastern States, especially Manipur, Nagaland, and also Assam in the month of October. The birds then move towards their final destination in the month of November, crossing the vast Arabian Sea.

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