The Beautiful Story Of 'Longleng,' The Amur Falcon That Flew 22,000 Km From Nagaland To Africa
Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan is known to share interesting facts and stories about wildlife with all of us on Twitter. This time he decided to share a very informative thread on the Amur falcon a bird which crosses the Himalayas to fly to India from Mongolia and the Arabian Sea and then moves on to Africa.
Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan is known to share interesting facts and stories about wildlife with all of us on Twitter. In fact, nature lovers are frequent visitors to his timeline and for good reason.
From random facts about a rare species to beautifully clicked pictures of wild animals, his profile is a blessing for animal lovers. This time, he decided to share a very informative thread on the Amur falcon, a bird which crosses the Himalayas to fly to India from Mongolia and the Arabian Sea and then moves on to Africa.
Based on his tweet, the Amur Falcon covers a total of 22,000 km by flying.
Today let me share story of Amur Falcon, a bird which crosses Himalayas enroute to India from Mongolia & Arabian Sea for going to Africa. This bird covers 22,000 KMs flying. One of the nature¡¯s amazing wonder. In Nagaland they come in hundreds of thousands & stay for some time. pic.twitter.com/eO0OTzfWdC
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
He shared a picture of a female Amur Falcon named 'Longleng' who apparently flew for five whole days to reach Somalia last year.
While we were inside a female Amur Falcon named as ¡®Longleng¡¯, which flew non-stop for FIVE DAYS covering thousands of kilometres to reach Somalia in Nov last year, has returned to the Indian sub-continent. This reached India just recently. https://t.co/rIMmTu1Z6J pic.twitter.com/ViTeFX5vV5
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
He further goes on to explain how three different falcons were given names when they were leaving Nagaland to fly to Southern Africa -- Naga, Pangati and Wokha.
In one study three Amur falcons were radio tagged named as Naga, Pangati & Wokha. By 13 November they left Nagaland & by 25th December all three were in Southern Africa. With some halts in India. They took longest over water journey. Imagine the distance they covered flying. pic.twitter.com/ioCMa9YvCC
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
He mentions that Nagaland is known for million Amur falcons coming to the state each year and that is why it is also known as the Amur faclon capital of the world.
¡±Naga¡±, flew from Nagaland in India to Somalia in eastern Africa, for five days and 10 hours non-stop and covering a distance of some 5,600km. Since a million Amur falcons arrive in Nagaland, it is also called as Amur falcon capital of the world. pic.twitter.com/QVh6CalI8M
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
Apparently, Amur falcons were once hunted and by raising awareness about the role in migration, conservation work by communities paid off and the hunting stopped.
Amur falcons were hunted extensively once. By raising awareness about their role & route of migration and involving communities their conservation work is paying good dividends. This is only one such bird, in nature birds migrate & all needs protection. pic.twitter.com/mDMllQrMma
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
He further goes on to say that animals and birds have no sense of borders.
Animals & birds don't recognise borders. That is why we have #Bonn convention on protection of #Migratory species. Where India is a respected member. So that all can be conserved. Can fly free like these Amur falcons. Pic courtesy given. Study by WII, Nagaland govt & BNHS.
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
This one is Naga. They travel from eastern Asia all the way to southern Africa and back every year (as map shared above). What a journey this bird is taking. They cross high Himalayas (special adaptations) & rest in India for their further journey. PC Nick Williams. pic.twitter.com/n38ubqRRUl
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
He ends his thread by letting us know that eight years ago in 2012, the Amur falcons were hunted in thousands and governments and NGOs came together to conserve the rare bird species.
Till 2012 they were hunted in thousands in Nagaland. Which became a huge issue. Later govts, community members & NGOs came forward to conserve them. Now Nagaland happily welcome them & even celebrate Amur Falcon festival every year. A great success story. PC Nagalandpost pic.twitter.com/9gNXOIuX57
¡ª Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 28, 2020
Always a delight to find out more about fellow living beings who are a part of the same nature as we are.
