The Amur falcon migrates from northeastern Asia to southern Africa, covering about 22,000 km each year.
It breeds across parts of southeastern Siberia, northern China, and Mongolia before moving south through India. A major stopover occurs in northeastern India, especially around Nagaland, where enormous flocks have been documented feeding before continuing toward Africa.
The species crosses the Arabian Sea, an unusually demanding leg for a small raptor. Its route is considered one of the longest migrations undertaken by any bird of prey. The birds usually travel in daylight and exploit seasonal insect abundance along the way.
Amur falcons are sometimes confused with other small falcons, but their migration is especially distinctive because it links East Asia with southern Africa. Conservation campaigns in India helped reduce the mass trapping that threatened the species at a key migration stopover.