:: Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary

This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist. Thattekkad is made up of dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forest and grassland patches, housing a population of over 500 species of exotic birds. It is the exotic microcosm of India 's bird population that brought Dr. Salim Ali to this place. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of this sanctuary to a large extent.

Thattekkad also has extensive plantations of teak, rosewood, mahagony, etc. The dense forest is also the home of nearly 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles.
Spread across 25 sq. km. the sanctuary lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar like a peninsula. Rare birds like the Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black Winged Kite, Night Heron, Falcon, Grey Jungle Fowl, White-Breasted Water Hen, Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmoth, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet live here. This sanctuary is located about 58 km from Kochi city and 13 km northeast of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district; Thattekkad is in Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, central Kerala.

Access through:

Rail: Aluva, about 48 km away.

Air: Cochin International Airport , about 44 km.

Tourist Places in Ernakulam District

1. Cherai Beach

MONUMENTS

1. Bolghatty Island and palace
2. Chendamangalam
3. Dutch Palace, Mattancherry
4. Fort Kochi
5. Pierce Leslie Bungalow
6. Old Harbour House
7. Koder House
8. Delta Study
9. Jewish Synagogue
10. Synagogue at Chennamangalam
11. Paliam Palace
12. Vypeenkotta Seminary
13. The Dutch Cemetery
14. Thakur House
15. David Hall
16. The Cochin Club
17. Bastion Bungalow
18. Vasco da Gama Square
19. Fort Immanuel


MUSEUMS

1. Indo-Portuguese Museum
2. Madhavan Nayar Foundation
3. Maritime Museum
4. The Hill Palace Museum
5. The Museum of Kerala History
6. Parikshith Thampuran Museum


PICNIC SPOTS

1. Bhoothathankettu
2. Kumbalangi - Model Tourist Village
3. Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary
4. Athirapally waterfalls

PILGRIM CENTRES

1. Kaladi
2. Vamanamoorthy Temple
3. Santhanagopala-Krishnaswamy Temple
4. Malayatoor
5. St. Francis Church

OTHER PLACES

1. The Antique Sellers of Jew Street
2. Kodanad
3. Thani Illam
4. Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple
5. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Lakshadweep Islands
7. Willingdon Island