The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is located in the
Ernakulam district of Kerala. Thattekkad is home to dense tropical
evergreen and deciduous forests, grassland and around 500 species of
exotic birds. The credit of making this bird sanctuary so popular and
important goes to Dr. Salim Ali, the world famous ornithologist. Dr
Salim Ali was attracted to this place due to the exotic microcosm of
India's bird population. It was largely due to the efforts of Dr Ali
that this sanctuary was formed.
The Thattekkad bird sanctuary is spread over an area of about 25 sq.
km. and lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar. Some of the
rare varieties of birds that can be spotted here are the Bee eater,
Crimson-throated Barbet, Sunbird, Black Winged Kite, Shrike, Grey Jungle
Fowl, Night Heron, Falcon, White-Breasted Water Hen, Ceylon Frog moth,
Hornbill, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet. Thattekkad also
boasts of extensive plantations of teak, rosewood and mahogany. The
dense forest in and around the bird sanctuary is home to nearly numerous
varieties of animals.
