Amur Falcons Spotted In India; Where And When You Can Sight These Migratory Birds

Amur Falcons are making headlines again. These tiny and agile migratory birds have started reaching Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. Today, we are going to talk about what makes these falcons special and where and when you can spot them in India! 

What Makes Amur Falcons Special? 

Amur falcons are in news again. They have started reaching Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

They fly from China to South Africa via India, covering about 20,000 km in one way.

In this stop over they refuel themselves by preying on termites that emerge around this time.… pic.twitter.com/r6cRWy7Txn

— Ramesh Pandey (@rameshpandeyifs) November 19, 2025

Ramesh Pandey from the Indian Forest Service recently took to X to share news about the Amur Falcons, which are in the spotlight again. Not many might be aware, but these birds are considered quite special. They are known for their long-distance migration. These falcons take non-stop flights covering thousands of kilometres. According to the post shared on X, they were recently seen in the skies of Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.

They fly around this time every year from Siberia and China to South Africa via India, covering about 22,000 km one way. This is fascinating, right? This is why they are called one of the longest-distance migrating birds. They also undertake the longest over-water passage. They can take a non-stop flight of more than 4,000 km across the Arabian Sea. Talking about their food, these Amur Falcons stop over to prey on termites along their long journeys.

Also Read: What Is So Special About Endangered Indian Wild Dogs Or Dhole? 5 Places You Can Spot Them In India

Where You Can See Amur Falcons In India

1. Doyang Reservoir, Nagaland: This is one of the crucial stopover sites for Amur Falcons during their long journey. Millions of these birds gather at the reservoir, especially around the village of Pangti. Here, they not only rest but also feed on small insects like termites before taking flight again. The Pangti village is sometimes called the ‘Falcon Capital of the World’.

2. Tamenglong District, Manipur: The Tamenglong district is also considered one of the most important stopover and roosting sites for Amur Falcons coming from China and Siberia.  The local government works actively to protect and conserve these birds.

3. Dima Hasao District, Assam: You can also spot Amur Falcons in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, particularly in the Umrangso area. Here, they stop over to rest or refuel during their journeys. New Tumbung Lake in the area is also an important roosting site.

4. Niausa Village, Arunachal Pradesh: Amur Falcons can be seen at Niausa village in Arunachal Pradesh during their annual journey. They stay here for around two weeks before continuing their journey. 

Apart from these major areas, Amur Falcons are also seen in smaller numbers in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and in Lonavala in Maharashtra.

Best time to see them:

You can see Amur Falcons in India from October to November. This is the best time to watch them during their migratory stopover in northeastern India, especially in Manipur and Nagaland. People also spot them in Assam in December. Many birdwatchers see them again on their return journey during April and May.

How to spot them:

• The birds are most active in the early morning or late afternoon. During this time, they gather in flocks at their resting locations.
• When watching them, remember they are easily startled, so observe them quietly and avoid making loud noises.
• Some states like Manipur and Assam celebrate the Amur Falcon Festival. The festival honours these migratory birds and gives watchers a chance to see them before they depart again. In Manipur, it takes place in October and November, while in Assam, it is held in December.

Also Read: 10 Wildlife Parks Across India Perfect For Spotting Migratory Birds This November

These agile Amur Falcons are indeed special! Have you ever seen them resting? Do let us know.

Cover Image Courtesy: @rameshpandeyifs/ X