The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small raptor of the falcon family. In addition to speed and strength, these birds are known to have keen eyesight for detecting prey from a distance or during flight. Amur falcons breed in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China and migrate long distances in large flocks to winter in Southern and East Africa.
Male Amur falcons are characteristically dark sooty grey above with rufous thighs and vent. In flight, the wing lining is white, contrasting with the dark wing feathers. In Africa, males can be confused with melanistic Gabar goshawks, but the chestnut on the vent is distinctive. The wings are long as in most falcons (with a span of 63–71 cm) and at rest, the wing tip reaches or extends just beyond the tail tip. Females can be more difficult to identify as they share a pattern common to many falcons but are distinctive in having an orange eye-ring, a red cere, and reddish orange feet. Juveniles can be confused only with those of the Red-footed falcon, but lack the buffy underwing coverts.
Amur falcons breed in east Asia from the Transbaikalia, Amurland, and northern Mongolian region to parts of North Korea. They migrate in a broad front through India and Sri Lanka, sometimes further east over Thailand and Cambodia and then over the Arabian Sea, sometimes in passage on the Maldives and other islands to reach southern Africa. Because of their tendency to wander long distances over the ocean while migrating, Amur falcons have been found in locations far outside their normal range, such as in Italy, Sweden, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, and the United Kingdom. During migration, they stay in open forests or grasslands. When breeding they favor open wooded country with marshes.
Amur falcons are social birds that feed, roost, and migrate in flocks. During migration, they can gather in thousands and roost colonially on exposed perches or wires. Amur falcons feed mainly late in the evening or early in the morning capturing a wide range of insects in the air or on the ground. They capture most of their prey in flight, sometimes by hovering, but will also pick prey by alighting on the ground.
Amur falcons are carnivores (insectivores). The winter diet is almost entirely made up of insects but they take small birds, mammals, and amphibians to feed their young in their breeding range. The rains in Africa produce swarms of termites, locusts, ants, and beetles that provide ample food. Their migration over the Arabian Sea coincides with the timing of the migration of dragonflies and these are thought to provide food during the most arduous part of their migration route.
Amur falcons are monogamous and form pairs. They breed from May to June. Pairs may nest solitary or in loose colonies. Abandoned nest platforms belonging to birds of prey or corvids and even tree hollows are re-used for nesting. The female lays 3 or 4 eggs and both parents take turns to incubate and feed the chicks which hatch after about a month. The young leave the nest about 30 days after hatching.
Although Amur falcons are not considered threatened, they do suffer from habitat loss, changes in climate, and the use of pesticides. The flocking behavior during migration and the density at which they occur, expose Amur falcons to hunting and other threats. During their migration from their breeding area to the winter quarters, they are plump and are hunted for food in parts of northeastern India as well as in eastern Africa. In 2012, mass trapping and capture of migrating Amur falcons in Nagaland (India) was reported in the media and a successful campaign was begun to prevent their killing.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Amur falcon is above 1,000,000 individuals or approximately 200,000-667,000 mature individuals. The national population estimates include around 100-10,000 breeding pairs and around 50-1,000 individuals on migration in China; around 100-10,000 breeding pairs and less than 50 individuals on migration in Korea; less than 50 individuals on migration in Japan and around 100-10,000 breeding pairs and around 50-1,000 individuals on migration in Russia. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
