Not Endangered, But Still at Risk: The Hidden Struggle Behind the Amur Falcon’s Flight

A rare wildlife sighting is exciting birdwatchers throughout Southern India. The elusive Amur falcon was first recorded in this region in 2020, following the landfall of two major cyclones. And now, confirmed sightings have happened once again in 2025. Birders have remained hopeful for the falcon’s return, and this newest sighting is significant in more ways than one for Tamil Nadu’s Point Calimere in South India, including the health of its ecosystem.

As news of the Amur falcon sighting spreads, more locals are optimistic that its revival bodes well for the region. Here’s what else the appearance of the rare raptor means for Southern India.

Why Is the Amur Falcon So Elusive?

In 2012, conservationists blew the whistle on hunters at the Doyang Reservoir. The artificial reservoir had become a feeding ground for Amur falcons, who stopped mid-migration to feed on the insects gathered there. When local hunters realized this, it also became a hotspot for netting and catching the falcons. Once caught, the falcons were traded for meat and as trophies.

Hunting fowl is common around the world, but hunting at the Doyang Reservoir was especially devastating to Amur falcons. Hunters caught the birds en masse by hanging fishing nets in trees, resulting in an estimated 120,000 to 140,000 deaths. According to The Conversation, this accounted for roughly 10% of the world’s Amur falcon population. Not only was the practice inhumane, but it also led to a significant decline in the region’s raptor population.

In 2013, following many calls to action by conservationists and a documentary titled “The Amur Falcon Massacre,” hunting falcons became illegal in local villages like Pangti. Sadly, the damage was already done. While Amur falcons are not endangered today and are listed as least concern, India’s migrations remain threatened. Several sightings prior to 2020 sparked excitement, but it wasn’t until the most recent sighting of 2025 that birdwatchers once again became truly hopeful.

Why Are Amur Falcons Once Again Migrating Through Point Calimere?

The sighting of Amur falcons in Point Calimere is a good sign. As with the falcons spotted in 2020, it’s believed storms brought them back in 2025. Cyclones are common throughout Southern Asia, notorious for causing damage inland and altering the migration patterns of many birds. As Amur falcons began their long journey between Asia and Africa, cyclone winds pushed them off their usual path. This forced them to seek shelter elsewhere, and it was by both coincidence and design that they landed in Point Calimere.

Birdwatching is a popular pastime in Point Calimere, where the land is protected as a wildlife and bird sanctuary. Its lush greenery sits between two bodies of water: the Palk Strait and the Bay of Bengal. These bodies of water are crucial to terrestrial and avian life, as animals use them to hunt and hydrate. It’s also home to a healthy abundance of marine life, which is prey for local seabirds. It’s also a popular spot for migrating birds, including flamingos, sandpipers, and pelicans.

This year, the Amur falcon joined the ranks of these migratory birds. Raptors such as black and brahminy kites are regular visitors, and neither is a rare sighting. But for birders, observing an Amur falcon swooping down to feed is an unparalleled experience. Recent cyclones in Southern India have been known to alter bird migration patterns, which may have contributed to the presence of Amur falcons at Point Calimere.

What This Means for Places Like Tamil Nadu

Point Calimere is not along the normal migration route for Amur falcons. These birds have tremendous endurance and regularly fly up to 13,670 miles round-trip. Their unexpected stop in Tamil Nadu is a testament to the sanctuary’s status and the overall health of its ecosystem. When a rare bird stops here to rest during migration, it indicates several things: An abundance of food, shelter from both weather and predators, and enough space for Amur falcons to land in groups, as they often do while migrating.

This means Point Calimere’s wildlife and bird sanctuary is crucial for migrating bird life. While outlawing local falcon hunting and protecting threatened species are a start, preserving land such as this is essential. There’s no definitive evidence that Amur falcons will regularly land at Point Calimere, but for now, bird lovers are appreciating their rare appearances. These unusual encounters also serve as starting points for educating visitors about the falcons’ presence. Knowledge is power, and this is how many conservation groups grow their missions.

Tips For Birdwatchers Observing Amur Falcons

Unlike most raptors, Amur falcons are social birds. Where birders spot one, they’re likely to spot several others. They migrate, flock, roost, and feed in groups, and can often be found together in trees. They’re recognizable by their bright orange eye rings and are slightly smaller than peregrine falcons. Males are mostly gray, while females have unique alternating gray-and-white patterns.

The best time to observe Amur falcons is during their annual migrations. In a place like Point Calimere, birders should:

• Check open woodlands, woodland edges, and open waterside areas.
• Pay attention to swarms of insects, as this may become a feeding ground.
• Observe the trees at dawn and dusk when falcons are the most active.
• Use binoculars with a high-powered zoom to observe birds from a distance.
• Avoid wearing bright colors, which can distract birds and make birdwatchers stand out.
• Exercise patience; seeing Amur falcons is rare, and they don’t always return to the same locations.