About Amur Falcon

• The Amur falcon is a small raptor (Raptor is a bird which preys on other small animals)  of the falcon family. 
• It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China before migrating in large flocks across India and over the Arabian Sea to winter in Southern Africa. (migration route given in the map). ( estimated 22,000 km journey)

• According to IUCN it has Least Concern  conservation status. But the flocking behaviour during migration and the density at which they occur, however, expose them to hunting and other threats.

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

• Kodiakkarai also called Point Calimere or Cape Calimere is a low headland on the Coromandel Coast, in the Nagapattinam district of the state of Tamil Nadu.
• It is the apex of the Cauvery River delta, and marks a nearly right-angle turn in the coastline.
• Point Calimere is home to the endangered endemic Indian blackbuck (a species of deer) and is one of the few known wintering locations of the spoon-billed sandpiper (a type of bird).
• It also holds large wintering populations of greater flamingos in India and other migratory birds. 

Why in the news?

• An amur falcon was sighted for the first time in the Point Calimere Sanctuary.
• This is surprising as south India does not fall in the line of Amur falcons’ migratory path which mainly passes through north-east India and central India. 
• Scientists predict that a change in the wind pattern, caused by Cyclones Nivar and Burevi, could have been the reason for the lone falcon to find its way to Point Calimere.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_falcon#:~:text=Conservation%20status,Scientific%20classification
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Calimere
3. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/amur-falcon-sighted-near-point-calimere/article33350400.ece