As Christmas lights spread cheer, Apapang, an Amur falcon, finds herself soaring over Harare, Zimbabwe, reminding us of the intricate overlaps between urban spaces and nature’s travellers.

The breathtaking endurance of three satellite-tagged Amur falcons from Manipur, Apapang, Alang, and Ahu, has once again attracted global attention.

The journey of three Amur falcons highlights the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the importance of conserving migratory routes that bridge continents. (Photo: Getty)

The tiny birds have completed one of the longest recorded migrations, traversing thousands of kilometres across continents in December.

IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared a post on X on Amur falcons, writing that the destinations of the birds were explained to her by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) scientist Suresh Kumar.

Here we go again with our AmursApapang, Alang and Ahu
Just when you think their journey can’t surprise you anymore, they do.
As Christmas lights spread cheer, Apapang is around the City of Harare in Zimbabwe, reminding us how closely nature and cities can overlap. Alang has https://t.co/i227Z2ERUZ pic.twitter.com/Pwj59b7KSG— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) December 26, 2025

APAPANG’S SOUTHERN SWEEP

Apapang, tagged with an orange marker, completed a direct 6,100-kilometre passage in six days in November, landing in Kenya after soaring across India, the Arabian Sea, and the Horn of Africa.

Amur falcon (Photo: Getty)

This flight now ranks among the longest uninterrupted journeys for a small raptor.

ALANG AND AHU’S DISTINCTIVE ROUTES

Alang, the youngest with a yellow tag, journeyed 5,600 kilometres, with brief stops in Telangana and Maharashtra before reaching Kenya last month.

Amur falcon’s extraordinary flights bolster their nickname, the “tiny long-distance voyager.” (Photo: Getty)

Meanwhile, Ahu, marked with a red tag, paused in Bangladesh before flying over the Arabian Sea, covering 5,100 kilometres to Somalia.

CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

These extraordinary flights bolster the Amur falcon’s nickname, the “tiny long-distance voyager.”

Their journey highlights the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the importance of conserving migratory routes that bridge continents.

The migratory path taken by the three Amur falcons (Photo: X/@supriyasahuias)

As they continue their travels, reaching places like Botswana’s magical Okavango Delta and Xaafuun in Somalia, these birds enhance our understanding of avian endurance and the critical need for global conservation efforts.

THE FUTURE OF AMUR FALCONS

Their annual migrations inspire birders and conservationists alike, encouraging efforts to safeguard these remarkable pathways. Bird lovers worldwide are keenly watching their continued journeys, illustrating the need for cross-border conservation policies to safeguard migratory species. The collaboration between nations is crucial for the preservation of the habitats that support not only the Amur falcons but also numerous other species that share these age-old routes.

Three Amur falcons have completed one of the longest recorded migrations, traversing thousands of kilometres across continents in December. (Photo: Getty)

Research continues to unveil additional nuances of their flights, guiding future conservation strategies and fostering a global appreciation for these tireless travelers.

– Ends

Published By:

Radifah Kabir

Published On:

Dec 26, 2025