The first bird sanctuary in Kerala, the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is located about 12km from Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district. ‘Flat forest’ is the translation of the Malayalam word Thattekkad. The region where the sanctuary lies is a low-land forest situated between the branches of the longest river in Kerala, the Periyar River. This sanctuary is also widely renowned as Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary as out has been named after Dr. Salim Ali, the most famous ornithologist in the country.

Spread across an area of 25sqkms at the foot of Western Ghats, it was Dr. Salim who recommended that the area be converted into a bird sanctuary for he saw its potential after his survey in the year 1933. Thus the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary was born in the year 1983. 

Dr. Salim Ali believed it to be the richest bird habitat in peninsular India. An Indian ornithologist and naturalist, Dr. Salim was the first Indian who conducted scientific avian surveys across the nation. Widely renowned as the legendary ‘Bird Man of India’ he also wrote books that popularised ornithology in the nation. He was awarded the third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan in the year 1958 and the second highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1976.

The sanctuary is home to over 270 species of birds, 15 species of amphibians, 34 species of mammals, 47 species of fishes and 30 species of reptiles. The lush, thriving forests here are a blend of tropical semi-evergreen, tropical evergreen, moist deciduous and riparian forest cover, with plantations of teak, rosewood, mahogony and fruit orchards as well. The fact that there is a wide range of natural habitats available here ranging from the tropical forest cover to the lagoons and the marshes formed by the Bhoothathankettu dam reservoir makes Thattekkad a haven for a rich and varied avian life. The varied species include forest birds, water birds and migratory birds as well. 

The most commonly sighted birds here include the Cuckoo, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, common snipe, wood peckers, crow pheasant, Indian roller, and Indian hill myna. Some of the more rare birds sighted here include the Ceylon Frogmouth, Bourdillon’s Long-eared Indian Nightjar, Malabar Hornbill, Peninsular Bay Owl, Crimson Throated Barbet, Malabar Shama, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and much more. The ideal spot to view migratory birds as well, the best time to visit the sanctuary is considered to be between October and March.

The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is the ideal destination not only for avid birdwatchers. The park also features a Deer Park, Butterfly Park, a small zoo for children, an Animal Rehab Centre and a Taxidermic Museum as well making it the perfect holiday spot for families, kids and anyone who loves and enjoys being in the midst of nature and its creations. If you are keen on more fun filled activities, the sanctuary even has options for trekking and boating apart from alluring nature walks.

An oasis tucked away in the city of Ernakulam, this sanctuary weaves a tapestry of wonder and vibrant biodiversity. Here, every step is a journey of discovery and every encounter is a salute to the enduring magic of the natural world.