TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The recent sighting of a rare Amur falcon in the Yenkathala grasslands of Rangareddy district has astonished the local wildlife community and intrigued birders and scientists alike.
EXPLANATION:
- This remarkable finding has raised questions about the bird’s unusual deviation from its typical migration route and timing.
Unique Circumstances of Sighting
- The Yenkathala grasslands, located near Hyderabad, are not part of the Amur falcon’s traditional migration route, making this sighting particularly noteworthy.
- Typically, these falcons migrate from Russia to Africa via India, passing through northeastern states or peninsular India.
- The timing of the sighting is also puzzling, as Amur falcons usually depart from Indian shores around January.
- The fact that this lone bird has remained beyond the migration season and ventured further south adds to the mystery surrounding its behavior.
- The discovery of the Amur falcon in an unexpected location underscores the importance of preserving diverse habitats and understanding avian behavior.
Insights from Ornithologists
- Renowned ornithologist acknowledged that sightings of Amur falcons in southern regions of India are uncommon but signify a thriving ecology for migratory raptors.
- There has been emphasizes on the falcon’s reliance on insects for food and suggests that the sighting may reflect changes in migration patterns influenced by urban expansion.
Implications for Conservation
- The sighting of the Amur falcon in Yenkathala grasslands serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural habitats and maintaining ecological connectivity.
- Conservation efforts should prioritize safeguarding critical stopover sites and migration corridors to ensure the survival of migratory bird species like the Amur falcon.
Amur falcons:
- The Amur falcons are locally known as Akhuaipuina.
- They usually arrive in Manipur in thousands, mostly in Tamenglong in mid-October from their breeding grounds in South Eastern Siberia and Northern China.
- Feeds on dragonflies that follow a similar migration path over Arabian Sea.
- These pigeon-sized birds undertake a yearly journey covering up to 22,000 km(longest sea crossing of any raptor).
- They leave the region at November-end after having enough food for their non-stop flight to Africa, where they spend their winters.
- They also cross over the Indian Ocean between Western India and tropical East Africa, a journey of more than 4,000 km, which also includes nocturnal flight.
- This bird is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- Migrates west through India and across the Arabian Sea to Southern Africa
- Flyway: East-Asian Australasian and African Eurasian
- Population of more than 1,000,000 breeding individuals.
