Thattekkad

The Thattekkad bird sanctuary, constituted in 1983, occupies the catchment area of the Bhoothathankettu dam. It is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist, designed this sanctuary. He is reported to have identified 167 bird species and his student; Dr. Sugathan had identified 207 species. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. In addition, the Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species here. The Thattekkad bird sanctuary attracts nature lovers from all over the world. The vegetation here is tropical evergreen forest - Vellapine, Karanjili, Palai, Kunthirikam, Bhadraksham, Kanala, Kurangatti etc.

Wildlife Population in the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary consists of Leopard, Bear, Porcupine etc. The Elephant is an occasional visitor to this place. Birds such as Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large Pied Wagtail, Baya Sparrow, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Hill Myna, Robin, Jungle Babbler and Darter are found here. Reptiles - Python, Cobra etc.