In a remarkable display of endurance and precision, a young female Amur Falcon named “Alang” has completed an extraordinary nonstop journey of nearly 3,300 kilometres in just 60 hours, flying across the vast Arabian Sea from the Somalian coast towards India.
According to the ongoing Amur satellite-tracking project, Alang began her epic migration on 14 May from Somalia and has since been soaring continuously over open ocean and desert landscapes with astonishing stamina. Wildlife experts monitoring the bird said she briefly paused nearly 150 kilometres east of Karachi before taking flight again at around 6 am on Sunday. She is now expected to enter Rajasthan later in the day.
The tracking project, which is currently monitoring three Amur Falcons — Alang, Apapang and Ahu — continues to reveal the incredible migratory abilities of these small raptors, often described as among the world’s most resilient long-distance travellers.
Just days earlier, on 5 May 2026, another tracked falcon, “Apapang”, stunned researchers after completing a massive nonstop transcontinental flight of around 4,750 kilometres in nearly 95 hours from Somalia into India. Conservationists and bird enthusiasts are now eagerly waiting for updates on the third falcon, “Ahu”.
Experts involved in the study say these migration journeys provide valuable scientific insights into bird navigation, climate adaptation and international conservation efforts. The satellite-tracking initiative is helping researchers understand how Amur Falcons navigate dangerous weather conditions, exhaustion and long stretches without food or rest during migration.
Dr. Suresh, associated with the monitoring programme, described the birds’ endurance as “astonishing”, adding that each tracked journey highlights the urgent need to protect migratory routes and habitats across countries.
Amur Falcons are known for undertaking one of the longest migratory journeys in the avian world, travelling annually between breeding grounds in Siberia and wintering regions in southern Africa. India, particularly the northeastern region, serves as an important stopover during their migration.
The incredible journeys of Alang and Apapang are once again reminding the world that even the smallest wings can achieve the greatest distances.
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