Thattekkad

	Occupying an area of 25 sq km, the Thattekad bird sanctuary is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Designed by a famous ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali, the Thattekad bird sanctuary is home to a large number of bird species like Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, and the Night Heron. There are also around 28 species of animals and nine varieties of reptiles.Plenty of insect life also abound.Located near Kothamangalam of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of Periyar River, Thattekad bird sanctuary can be reached from Kochi airport located about 71 km from the sanctuary. If you travel by train, the nearest railway station is Aluva that is 48 kms away. Avian variety Also called The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad bird sanctuary was described by Dr. Ali as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India comparable only with eastern Himalayas. The bird sanctuary is rich in teak and mahogany plantation too. Exploring the lowland forests of Kerala you will come across a diverse avian species. Some of the rare birds in the sanctuary at Thattekkad are Collocalia unicolor or Indian Swiftlet, Ocyceros griseus or Malabar Grey-Hornbill, Spizaetus cirrhatus or Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Anhinga melanogaster or Oriental Darter and Ardea cinerea or Grey Heron. Snipes, Celeus brachyurus or Rufous Woodpecker, Batrachostomus moniliger or Ceylon Frogmouth, Eurostopodus macrotis or Great Eared-Nightjar and Bubo bubo or Eurasian Eagle-Owl have been also spotted by avid birdwatchers. For Accommodation you can avail the three storied watch tower in the Thattekad bird sanctuary which has two beds, a toilet and a kitchen. Though there is no electricity in the forest watch tower there are few solar powered lamps. A forest department inspection bungalow called Hornbill is located near the sanctuary entrance