Situated about 58 km from Kochi city and 13 km northeast of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district, Thattekkad houses one of the best and most famous bird sanctuaries in the country, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.Thatekkad is in Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, central Kerala.
Thattekkad is made up of dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forest and grassland patches, housing a population of over 500 species of exotic birds. This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist. It is the exotic microcosm of Indias bird population that brought Dr. Salim Ali to this place. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of this sanctuary to a large extent.
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.
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. To reach Thatekkad by train, Aluva railway station is about 48 km away.The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 44 km away.
