EMN
Dimapur, November 15
A rare spectacular Amur Falcon was spotted by Dr. R. Suresh, Scientist from Department of Endangered Species Management, Wildlife Institute of India, and his team along with the community members of Yaongyimchen and the chairman of Lemsachenlok, Y Nuklu Phom, on November 10 at around 2 p.m. A white Amur Falcon was seen hovering around the Yaongyimchen Community Bio-diversity Conservation Area which was photographed by Nikil.
It was a phenomenal experience for the community as well as the team since such white Amur Falcon was never witnessed until now. Appearance of new the Falcon was similar to “Gyr Falcon or Ger Falcon” found in the Arctic Coast and listed among the endangered species.
Immediately after the bird was spotted and photographed, it was named “Snow White Amur Falcon” (Aso Mesung Loih in local dialect). The discovery raised many questions whether there are other such white Falcons already migrating to Nagaland and which needs to be preserved.
Yaongyimchen community of Longleng district has been conserving bio-diversity area since 2010 and witnessing a rapid increase in the number of wildlife and marine life each year. The community members along with safeguarding many other varieties of species in its community conservation area has been working on safeguarding the “Amur Falcon” which started roosting in the area since 2012.
It was observed that roosting of Amur Falcon in its conserved area has been increasing every year. Amur Falcon comes in two colors: males are dark grey with reddish brown thighs and undertail coverts, reddish orange eye-ring, cere, and feet, while the females are duller above with dark scaly markings on white underparts, and an orange eye-ring, cere, and legs. Only a pale wash of rufous is visible on their thighs and undertail coverts.
The discovery has raised many questions whether there are other such white Falcons already migrating to Nagaland and the needs to be conserve them.
