Thattekad Birding Tour – Kerala’s Best Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Birding Tour – Western Ghats Endemics

The Thattekad Bird Watching Tour is one of India’s finest birding experiences 🦜🌿. Located in Kerala, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is widely regarded as the best place in South India for observing Western Ghats endemic bird species.

Declared a bird sanctuary on the recommendation of Dr. Salim Ali, Thattekad offers exceptional bird diversity within a compact area, making it highly productive for birdwatchers and photographers.

The sanctuary features riverine forests, evergreen patches, and plantation landscapes — all of which support a wide variety of bird species.

Birding highlights include:

🦜 Sri Lanka Frogmouth
🦜 Malabar Trogon
🦜 Malabar Parakeet
🦜 White-bellied Treepie
🦜 Heart-spotted Woodpecker
🦜 Rufous Babbler

Thattekad is particularly known for close-range bird photography, as many species are active along forest trails and near water sources.

With experienced bird guides and well-established trails, it is an ideal destination for both serious birders and beginners.

⭐ Why Visit Thattekad?

🦜 One of India’s top birding destinations
🌿 Western Ghats endemic species
📸 Excellent bird photography opportunities
🚶 Easy walking trails
🌴 Scenic Kerala landscapes

📦 What’s Included

• Guided birding sessions 🧭
• Accommodation in eco-lodges 🏡
• All meals 🍽️
• Bird checklist and identification support
• Local transport

👨‍👩‍👧 Ideal For

📸 Bird photographers
🦜 Birdwatchers
🌿 Nature lovers
🌍 International birding travelers

🌱 Eco Practices

♻️ Responsible birdwatching
🌿 Conservation awareness
🚯 Plastic-free operations
🤝 Support for local communities

📌 Quick Facts

📍 Location: Kerala, India
🦜 Bird Species: 300+
🗓 Best Time: November – April
✈ Nearest Airport: Kochi

Thattekad Salim Ali BIRD SANCTUARY:

The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of barely 25 km2, and located about 12 km from Kothamangalam (Kerala state, India), was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. Salim Ali, one of the best known ornithologists, described this sanctuary as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India. Thattekkad literally means flat forest, and the region is a deciduous but generally moist low-land forest surrounding the Periyar River, the longest river in Kerala.

Constituted during 1983, Dr. Salim Ali, the world famous ornithologist, is directly responsible for the wonders on display at the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. His famous survey of Travancore in the 1930s led to the formation of this modern day paradise for avian life. He noted that the area was rich in bird diversity and ought to be turned into a sanctuary to conserve the same. There are over 300 species that reside in these tropical and deciduous forests are testament to his great vision.

One can run across the Sri Lankan Frogmouth, Racket Tailed Drongo, Bronzed Drongo, White-bellied Treepie, Shama, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Rufous Babbler, Malabar Parakeet, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher and the Malabar Grey Hornbill in these parts. Beautiful teak, rosewood and mahogany plantations can also be viewed here. It also boasts of over 28 mammal species and over 9 species of reptiles.

Species

The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary has a rich and varied birdlife. Several species of birds, both forest birds as well as water birds, visit the sanctuaries; notable ones include the following:

• The Indian pitta; which visits the sanctuary during winter and spends almost six months here.
• Orange-headed thrush
• Large-billed leaf-warbler
• Jerdon's nightjar
• Indian cuckoo
• Oriental darter
• Cormorants
• Whiskered terns
• Collared scops owl
• Ceylon frogmouth
• Grey-fronted green pigeon
• Yellow-browed bulbuls

The sanctuary is a habitat for different varieties of cuckoos and a region of the sanctuary popularly called "Cuckoo Paradise" is home to them, among which are the:

Drongo cuckoo, which may be easily mistaken for drongo,

Indian hawk cuckoo, which is highly vocal, and the

Large hawk cuckoo, which looks relatively massive compared to other types of cuckoos, and is characterized by a dark grey and heavily streaked throat.

The Idamalayar forest is located about 15 km from Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. There is a large evergreen forest to the east and south-east of the Idamalayar Dam, extending from Malakkappara to as far as Rajamala. The mountain hawk eagles are found in this forest. Other birds in this forest include dark-fronted babbler, brown-cheeked fulvetta, brown-backed and white-rumped needletails, and emerald green pigeons.

Region                         Western Ghats, Kerala   

No of Days                   Ex – Cochin     03 Days

Grade                          Easy to Moderate  

Type                            Bird Watching/Jungle Safari

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis 
• Ground Transportation by AC Vehicle from Cochin
• Meals as per mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bird walks inside Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad
• Entry fees to the park
• Expertise & leader charges
• Professional Wildlife Naturalist host of the tour
• GST 5%

• Additional / personal use of vehicle.
• Extended stay due to weather conditions or any situation not in human control.
• Any personal expenses, room service and special orders, mineral waters, non-alcoholic beverages, tips, phone calls, laundry etc.
• Any extra excursions or sightseeing apart from the above specified itinerary.
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
• Camera fees.
• Adventure sports at the property.
• Airfares/Rail fare.
• Anything Specifically NOT mentioned in includes.

• Wildlife safaris/Bird watching is a matter of luck and opportunity. No guarantee of any sighting is made. Neither of our associates will quote that, although we try our best to spot and show you as much as nature allows us to.
• Birdwatching is a hobby and not a race, hence request all birders to maintain discipline at all times.
• Bird watching is an art of silence and key observation.
• Avoid Pointing out directly to a bird that might flush the bird away.
• Do not get too close to a bird for a photograph that you flush it away.
• Birdwatching should be enjoyed by binoculars and the fun is to spot them, identify them and if you still have some time with the bird photograph them.
• Never enter the forest with an intention of spotting a single species, it will only disappoint you. The forest is a gift packet with a lot to surprise with. Listen to our naturalist for more wonderful experience.
• Our walks are not target species specific (Unless specified)
• We explore everything we find uncommon and need to be explained.
• Any demand for spotting a single species in any jeep will not be entertained by the guide or the tour leader as there are other travellers who would want to see the birds etc.
• Respect & honour everything that is in the forest and it has to offer you.
• Enjoy being in the forest and you will feel much happier away from the concrete chaos.
• Respect the local, tribes, guards, guides, drivers, officers and all animals.
• Front seat of the Gypsy is always reserved for the Guide or Guard.
• No extra room will be made for photographers, respecting other travellers. (For photographers it is recommended to opt for higher options)
• No littering in the forest strictly. (what goes comes back the same way)
• Camera fees & guide tips to be paid separately & directly.
• Kindly follow the instructions given by the tour leader and the guide for your own safety.

• A Hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• A dust protection mask
• Personal Bottle (To avoid plastic use – 1LtrsX2)
• Small backpack for safaris (10Ltrs)
• Bird books
• Sun screen
• Only dull coloured clothes (Green, brown, Beige, Camouflage)
• Camera (At owners risk) with proper equipment for photography (As per need)
• Fleece/Jacket (temperatures drop in the forest to below 10 degree Celsius
• Binoculars
• Energy bars for safaris

• The Tern Travellers reserves the right to cancel and forfeit the paid amount in case of payment schedule not followed.

Cancellation Policy: