Tiny Amur Falcon flies non-stop 4,750 km in 95 hours from Somalia to Bihar's Gaya

Apapang's journey is all about the resilience of migratory birds and the importance of protecting habitats along their routes. From African landscapes to the forests of Bihar, the falcon's path spans continents, cultures, and ecosystems.

In Short

• Amur Falcon Apapang flew 4,750 km nonstop from Somalia to India in 95 hours
• Rested briefly near Varanasi, then flew 200 km to Gaya for night halt
• Species known for long migrations between eastern Asia and southern Africa

A tiny migratory bird has once again stunned scientists and birdwatchers alike. An Amur Falcon named Apapang has completed an extraordinary nonstop journey of nearly 4,750 kilometres from Somalia to India in just 95 hours, according to officials tracking its movement.

The update was shared by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests in Tamil Nadu, who has been closely following the bird’s migration.

The falcon’s route, tracked via satellite, shows a remarkable transcontinental flight across the Arabian Sea, one of the longest known non-stop journeys by a bird of its size.

“This truly makes Amurs among the most elite long-distance travellers on the planet,” Sahu said, highlighting the endurance and navigational precision of the species.

After completing the marathon flight, Apapang made its first landing near the Sone River, close to Varanasi. But the bird did not stay long. Within an hour of rest, it resumed its journey, flying an additional 200 kilometres to reach a hill forest landscape near Gaya, where it halted for the night.

Amur falcons are small raptors known for their remarkable migratory patterns, travelling annually between breeding grounds in eastern Asia and wintering regions in southern Africa.

Their journey involves crossing vast stretches of ocean, often relying on favourable winds and their own fat reserves for survival.

Scientists tracking these birds say such feats are not just impressive but also critical to understanding migration ecology, climate patterns, and conservation needs. The species once faced severe threats from mass hunting in parts of India, but community-led conservation efforts have significantly improved their survival rates in recent years.

Apapang’s journey is all about the resilience of migratory birds and the importance of protecting habitats along their routes. From African landscapes to the forests of Bihar, the falcon’s path spans continents, cultures, and ecosystems.

As tracking continues, researchers hope to gather more data on how these birds manage such extreme endurance flights, potentially offering insights into navigation, energy use, and the impacts of climate change on migratory species.

For now, Apapang’s journey stands as a breathtaking reminder of nature’s extraordinary capabilities, packed into the wings of a bird no larger than a pigeon.

- Ends