Muscat – A young sooty falcon, tagged in Oman in October 2024, has completed an extraordinary journey of 9,200km to reach its wintering grounds in Madagascar. The migration, tracked over two and a half months using satellite technology, offers a rare insight into the life cycle of this elusive bird.
Its journey began on October 3, 2024 when a satellite tracker was installed in Oman. The bird then winged through Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and Mozambique before arriving in Madagascar on December 14, 2024. “Plans are in place to track its return route to Oman during the summer months,” said H H Taimur bin Abdullah al Said, Director of Environmental Affairs at the Office of Conservation of Environment.
A study conducted by the office has highlighted positive trends for sooty falcons in Oman. A survey conducted by its research team recorded 32 sooty falcons in 2024, up from 21 in 2023. “This increase underscores the importance of conservation efforts,” H H Sayyid Taimur noted.
Field surveys were carried out on islands in Muscat and South Batinah in two phases – August 13 to 20 and September 22 to October 3, 2024. These surveys aimed to update data on sooty falcons’ nesting sites, while training local personnel. The findings are set to be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The sooty falcon (Falco concolor) is classified as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to declining global populations. Medium-sized and known for its agility, the bird breeds in the Middle East and northeastern Africa, migrating to the southeastern coast of Africa and Madagascar during winter.
Highlighting Oman’s critical role in the bird’s conservation, H H Sayyid Taimur said, “The islands in Muscat and South Batinah are among the most significant breeding sites for sooty falcons worldwide.”