Located on the northern banks of river Periyar, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary lies within 13 km from Ernakulam district. Situated between an altitude of 35 to 523 meters, it is one of the most well-known bird sanctuaries in the south Indian state Kerala. Also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (name changed in 1983), it is home to over 500 species of rare birds. The area of 25 km of the sanctuary is covered with teak and rosewood cultivation and dense deciduous forest. Established in 1930, this sanctuary, as per popular ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali belongs is “the wealthiest bird environment in Peninsular India when compared with other eastern Himalayas.”
