FALCON

The Amur falcon is a fascinating migratory raptor. Every year, the small, resilient birds make the daring voyage from their breeding ground south eastern Siberia and northern China and cross the Arabian sea, during migration and reach India in large flocks.

Video by – Santanu Nandi Purkayastha

Falcon is the largest travelling migratory birds in the world. These migratory birds travel from Siberia,China and halt at Umrangso,( Dt- Dima Hasao, Assam) during their annual journey to South Africa. Amur falcon are pigeon sized migratory birds origination in Siberia where they breed in summer. As the onset of winter , they fly to India- mainly to North Eastern India and specifically to Umrangso of Assam where they stay for about two months before leaving for South Africa. In South Africa they remain for about four months.

 

As earlier, due to lack of awareness these migratory birds were killed for sport, fun and meat. But gradually  due to huge awareness campaign conducted by the government bodies, Forest Department and of course local NGOs, people were able to understand conservation and developed love for birds. Procession, slogans and wall painting were organised in and around Umrangso to spread the awareness for the migratory birds. Local people of Umrangso along with NGOs then moved to the next step to organize a festival for the migratory birds.  Falcon festival received a wonderful response not only in Umrangso but also in Dima Hasao Autonomous council and  it became an annual festival. Presently Falcon Festival ( has completed 6th edition ) is able to attract huge number of people from different parts of India and a few foreign tourists are also found. Golf field near Tumbung area of Umrangso is the prime spot where large flock of Falcon birds remains for two months( November and December)in a year.

           SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS MADE THOSE WALL PAINTING 

Males are characteristically dark ,sooty grey above with rufous thigs and vent . In flight, the wing lining is white or grey , contrasting with the dark wing feathers.Females are identified as having an orange eye ring, and reddish orange feet.

Video by – Santanu Nandi Purkayastha

  Scientific Classification

 Phylum -           Chordata

    Class  -           Aves

    Order-           Falconiformes 

Family-              Falconidae

   Genus -           Falco

  Species  -         F.  amurensis

                  

The Amur falcon feeds mainly in the evening or early in the morning capturing a wide range of insects in the air or on the  ground.

 

                        

                                           Video by – Shri Lamu Singh Warkade

         

                                      

                  

                                     Video by – Shri Lamu Singh Warkade

                                         **********************************