Amur falcon

Kohima, Nov. 16: Anyone who has watched a falcon in flight is mesmerised by the sheer majesty of the sight.

Winged beauties of the Amur falcon variety, flying from China and Siberia, are, however,being captured and killed in Nagaland for food en route to destinations as far as South Africa.

These feathered creatures are some of the most swift, sprightly and elegant birds, slightly bigger than doves in size and can be easily mistaken as a homing pigeon.

The birds are either captured with nets or killed and sold in the markets at a price ranging from Rs 30 per bird at Wokha town to Rs 60 in Kohima markets.

“Their colour varies with their sex. The male is slate grey on top and ash grey below. Females are entirely different; they are slaty grey and their hind-neck has a white collar. In other words, simply beautiful,” Dr Tolto Metha of Veterinary Hospital, Kohima, said. He said these birds come all the way from China and Siberia, where they breed and reside during the summer. During winter, they migrate towards the southern hemisphere in search of a warmer climate and to save their species from becoming extinct.

Between October and December they fly over Nagaland in echelons. They usually fly at a lower altitude when they reach this part of the region and fall prey to bullets, pellets, slingshots and worst of all, the nets.

“Sadly, they are trapped in thousands and sold off for a morsel. Our people, who are oblivious of their identity, native country, destination and their name, are indiscriminately killing them for meagre monetary value,” Metha said. These are some of the most beautiful birds on a migration pilgrimage, travelling for almost 4,000 km across the oceans.

The Amur is an elliptical migrant, which means their return route to the north is largely over land and to the north and west of its southbound route. Amur Falcons are sighted in Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto and some parts of Kohima. Though the government, tribal organisations and Naga militant groups have banned the hunting of these birds, they are still being captured and sold.

According to the villagers, the flight of the falcon has begun and soon a multitude of them is to enter their territory.

Hundreds of Amur Falcons are also spotted in and around Changtongya, 45km away from Mokokchung town.

Villagers have built watchtowers at vantage points that provide a panoramic view of the area and where the birds come for rest. According to reports ignorant villagers and hunters have killed hundreds of these magnificent birds.