The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) belongs to the family Falconidae. These Amur falcon species are distributed in India, Africa and Northeast Asia.
Taxonomy of Amur falcon
- Scientific Name: Falco amurensis
- Common Name: Amur falcon
- French: Faucon de l’Amour; German: Amurfalke; Spanish: Cernícalo del Amur;
- Other names: Eastern red-footed falcon; Erythropus amurensis; Falco vespertinus var. amurensis;
- Family: Falconidae › Falconiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Species author: Radde, 1863
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| 1.Indian birds - Amur falcon - Falco amurensis |
Description
The Amur falcon is a small raptor, measuring 25 to 30 cm in length and weighing 100 to 155 grams. The female falcon is slightly larger and weighs 110 to 190 grams. The males have dark sooty grey back. The thighs, vent and undertail coverts are reddish brown. The female is paler, having dark scaly markings on white underparts. The eye ring, cere and legs are orange in color. Their call is a fast repeated kee..keee.. sound.Habitat
The Amur falcon species inhabit open woods and marshes during the breeding season. Migrating birds roost and stay near open forests.Feeding habits
These falcon species feed on insects, capturing them in the air or on the ground. They are known to feed on small birds and frogs. During their migration, it is believed that their diet mainly consists of migrating dragonflies.Breeding
The Amur falcon breeding season is between May and June. Abandoned nest platforms belonging to other birds and tree hollows are used for nesting. The clutch may contain three to four eggs. Both the parents take part in incubating eggs and feeding chicks.Distribution
The breeding populations of these birds are distributed in Southeast Siberia and Amurland in Russia, northeastern Mongolia, northeastern China and North Korea. They migrate to southeastern Africa in winter. They make a stop over in Nagaland (northeastern India).Movement Patterns
The Amur falcons breed in northeastern Asia, including Southeast Siberia, Mongolia, China and North Korea. During their wintering migration to southern Africa these falcons exhibit flocking behaviour. They make a stop over in Northeast India, especially the Nagaland State. In 2012, mass trapping and capture of migrating Amur falcons occurred in Nagaland (India).Status and conservation
The falcon global population is estimated to number more than 1,000,000 individual birds. These species of birds have an extremely large range and are considered least vulnerable. Mass trapping, capturing and slaughtering of migrating and roosting flocks is the main threat to the survival of these species of birds.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these falcon species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".
| Biological classification of Falco amurensis | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Falconiformes |
| Family: | Falconidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Falco |
| Species: | F. amurensis |
| Binomial name: | Falco amurensis |
| Distribution: | Northeast Asia, India and Africa; |
| Feeding habits: | small birds and insects; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Least Concern |
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| 2.Indian birds - Amur falcon - Falco amurensis |
1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amur_Falcon_m_2.jpg
Image author: DrewHeath | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amur_Falcon_(Falco_amurensis)_male_(16794543415).jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/16794543415/
Image author: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE | License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Amur falcon - Falco amurensis.
