The Amur falcon migrates from eastern Russia to southern Africa in one of the world’s longest raptor migrations.
It breeds across parts of southeastern Siberia, northeastern China, and Mongolia before moving south through India. Many birds then cross the Arabian Sea toward Africa and continue to southern African wintering grounds.
The species is a powerful aerial hunter that feeds heavily on insects, especially during migration. Its route over the Arabian Sea is remarkable because it involves a long open-water crossing for a small bird of prey.
The Amur falcon formerly suffered major losses from hunting at a stopover site in Nagaland, India. Conservation action and community protection greatly reduced that threat, making the species a prominent example of successful migration-focused conservation.