Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is located about 20 km from
Kothamangalam in
Eranakulam District.
Kerala’s first bird sanctuary, it was designed by a renowned ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali.
Occupying about 25 sq km, this sanctuary lies in the catchments area of the Bhoothathankettu Dam. The vegetation comprises dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches. A paradise for bird watchers, this sanctuary shelters Indian rollers, cuckoos, common snipes, crow, pheasants, jungle nightjars, kites, gray drogos, Malabar trogons, wood peckers, large pied wagtails, bay sparrows, gray jungle fowls, Indian hill mynas, robins, jungle babblers, sun birds and darters. Other rare birds include crimson- throated barbets, bee-eaters, shrikes, fairy bluebirds, gray-headed fishing eagles, black winged kites, night herons, gray hornbills and Malabar hornbills.
The best time to visit is during winter season.
The nearest airport for Thattekad is Cochin International Airport, which is 71 km away. Aluva Railway Station (48 km) is the nearest railhead.
