Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Nestling between the tributaries of the Periyar river is a small forest area rich in bird life, including water birds. The presence of more than 200 varieties of birds in this area attracted the renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali and his efforts are behind the formation of the Thattekad bird sanctuary in 1985.

The avifauna includes both resting indigenous birds and water birds. The rare Ceylon frog-mouth bird and the rose billed roller can be sighted here. This sanctuary is also the home of the Malabar grey hornbill, woodpecker, large falcon, parakeet, white-breasted water hen, jungle bush-quail, grey jungle fowl, jungle myna, heron and egret. A study conducted by Bombay Natural History Society during 1985 identified 253 species here. Over 50 species of butterflies have been documented here by Madras Naturalists Society.

The sanctuary is the catchment area of Bhoothathankett Dam. Undulating terrain, has mixed deciduous forest with patches of grassland. The teak trees with sparse leaves make bird watching easier even for untrained eyes. The vegetation in this area consists of tropical evergreen, semi evergreen, moist deciduous forests and plantations of teak, rosewood, mahogany etc. The sanctuary has its share of fauna too. The elephant is an occasional visitor. Leopard, bear, porcupine, python and cobra are sighted. Further, more than 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles have accepted this area as their natural habitat.

Thattekad has very good lodging facility for bird watchers. There is an Inspection Bungalow called Hornbill in Thattekad with three double rooms for Rs 300 per night each. The caretaker of the Bungalow, a friendly old man, cooks excellent Kerala food for just Rs. 15 per meal. The sanctuary also has a mini dormitory for Rs 50 per bed, per night. Good food is available there too. For the avid bird watcher who wants to spend quiet days within the sanctuary, there is a tower house with double bed and bath, which need to be booked in advance. Lodging facilities are available at the PWD rest house near Bhoothathanket Dam. Private lodges are available at Kothamangalam.

Spend your holidays in Thattekad and chase the avian delights away from the bustle of city life.

Getting there: Kochi, the nearest airport is 71 km from Thattekad. The nearest railway station is Aluva, 48 kms away. Travel by road from Kochi to Kothamangalam. The sanctuary is 13 km north east of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutty road. A ferry operates across the Periyar river to take you into the sanctuary.