Witness the annual Amur falcon migration in Nagaland, Manipur and Assam

It’s time for the annual Amur falcon migration, one of the biggest bird migrations in the world. If you are in the northeastern part of India, especially in Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, you will get to witness this spectacular sight.
The Amur falcon, a small sized raptor from the falcon family, breeds in Siberia and Northern China but migrates to the warmer climate of the Southern part of Africa via India every year.

India’s northeastern region falls on their migration route and every year, for centuries now, these birds have been visiting some very specific areas.
Why is this migration significant?


The sheer size of the migrating flock is the main reason why this migration is so popular, especially among the birding community. The falcons may be small in size but are some of the strongest fliers in the animal kingdom. They make a roundtrip of at least 20,000 km every year, starting by leaving their cold breeding ground during the winter months to go to the warmer climate of Africa, where there is plenty of food available.

One of the most amazing things these birds do is fly over the Arabian Sea for a really long time, and as they fly, they feed on the insects in the air. It’s a good thing their migration coincides with the dragonfly migration.

In northeast India, they usually come to areas in and around the Doyang river dam in Pangti village in Wokha district, Nagaland. In Manipur, large flocks make Tamenglong district their home for a few weeks. And in Assam, Dima Hasao district gets to see some isolated roosting sites.


Few individuals have been reported from some parts of North India (Uttar Pradesh) and Maharashtra too.

When we talk about wildlife, we often use the word ‘spotting’. In terms of Amur falcons, ‘spotting’ is a very small word. When they come, they are nothing short of a spectacle. The skies darken with millions of birds in the sky, every tree, electric poles, wires, fences, bushes, homes, everywhere they land. This is the kind of spectacle that drives most birding enthusiasts giddy with excitement.

These birds, however, don’t stay on for a long period. You will be able to see them till mid-November. By November, their number won’t be as big as when they first come, as they slowly start their journey to Africa.


The biggest roosting site in India is in Nagaland. Pangti village in Wokha, Nagaland, is where these birds come in large numbers to roost and the area is aptly named Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union. Pangti Village is also known as the Amur Falcon Capital.

In Tamenglong, Manipur, these falcons are locally known as akhuaipuina and the forest department, along with the local wildlife NGOs, are doing their best to give these birds a safe roosting site as long as they are visiting the area.

Some of the birds were geo-tagged and because of this the researchers were able to locate them and keep a track of their whereabouts. Turns out, these birds are the longest travelling raptors in the world. Isn’t that just amazing?

1. Where can we see amur falcons in India?
   In northeast India, they usually come to areas in and around the Doyang river dam in Pangti village in Wokha district, Nagaland. In Manipur, large flocks make Tamenglong district their home for a few weeks. And in Assam, Dima Hasao district gets to see some isolated roosting sites. Few individuals have been reported from some parts of North India (Uttar Pradesh) and Maharashtra too.
2. When is the best time to see amur falcons in India?
   Amur falcons stay in India for few weeks, mostly from mid-October to November.
3. Why is Pangti village known as Amur Falcon Capital?
   The biggest roosting site in India is in Nagaland. Pangti village in Wokha, Nagaland, is where these birds come in large numbers to roost and the area is aptly named Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union.