Home to Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in South India. The destination is located in Nnijiyapalli Hills in Western Ghats which encompasses the Western Ghats. The sanctuary was established in the year 1983 to preserve and protect the bird species and wildlife. The sanctuary was established on the recommendation of World fame ornithologist Salim Ali to the Kerala Government. The sanctuary is 25 sq. Km long and 60 sq. km wide encompassing an area of 1500 sq km.
The species is home to more than 500 avian species and mammals like the Nilgiri Langur, Lion Tailed Macaque, leopard, wild elephants, and the sloth bear. Thattekkad is the only bird sanctuary in the Indian State of Kerala and is situated in Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam District. The destination is like a hill resort encompassing scenic splendor all around. There are other urban attractions near Thaattekad.
It is home to true tropical forests, tropical deciduous, teak plantations, tropical semi-evergreen forests, and riparian forests. The main wood is mahogany, fruit orchard, and rosewood.
The avian species comprise forest species and wetland ones enhancing the avian diversity that attracts thousands of birders and tourists. Most of the visitors are keen ornithologists while the rest are amateur birders that visit the place on holiday. The birds found here are:
- Orange-headed thrush
- Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
- Blue Faced Malkoha
- Large-billed leaf-warbler
- Greater Coucal
- Jerdon's nightjar
- Mountain Hawk Cuckoo
- Indian Cuckoo
- Oriental darter
- Green Imperial Pigeon
- Cormorants
- Chestnut Winged Cuckoo
- White Rumped Needle Tail
- Whiskered terns
- Collared scops owl
- Ceylon frogmouth
- Grey-fronted green pigeon
- Yellow-browed bulbuls
- Great Eared-Nightjar
- Jungle Nightjar
- Brown Boobook
- Jerdon's Nightjar
- Sri Lanka Bay Owl
- Indian Nightjar
- Savanna Nightjar
- Black Baza
- Malayan Night Heron
- Crested Serpent-Eagle
- Legge's Hawk-Eagle
- Changeable Hawk-Eagle
- Rufous-bellied Eagle
- Black Eagle
- Crested Goshawk
- Malabar Woodshrike
- Large Woodshrike
- Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
- Sri Lankan Frogmouth
- Greenish/Large-billed Leaf Warbler
- Western Crowned Warbler
- Jerdon's Leafbird
- Golden-fronted Leafbird
The list is endless and bird enthusiasts should spend as many days as possible to make a large checklist and enjoy the wildlife as well. The sanctuary is about 12 km from Kothamangalam. The sanctuary is a lowland forest surrounded by the Periyar River. In Kerala Thattekad bird sanctuary is the only one. Altough plenty are found in the reserve forests.
The Idamalyar forests are 15 km from Thattekad Bird Sanctuary birds found in this forests are Mountain Hawk Eagle, dark-fronted babbler, brown-cheeked fulvetta, brown-backed and white-rumped needletails, and emerald green pigeons.
How to Reach?
The nearest airport is Kochi, which is at a distance of 64 km. The nearest railhead is Aluva while a good road connection provides a journey by road.
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