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{{Short description|Bird sanctuary in kerala, India}}
{{Short description|Bird sanctuary in kerala, India}}
{{Redirect|Thattekkad|Thattekkad dam|Bhoothathankettu}}
{{Redirect|Thattekkad|Thattekkad dam|Bhoothathankettu}}
{{More footnotes|date=January 2013}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary <br /> തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
| name = Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary <br /> തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
| alt_name       = Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary,<br />Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
| alt_name = Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary,<br />Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
| iucn_category =
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Ocyceros griseus -India-8a.jpg
| image = Ocyceros griseus -India-8a.jpg
| photo_caption = A [[Malabar grey hornbill]] at Thattekkad
| image_caption = A [[Malabar grey hornbill]] at Thattekkad
| map = Kerala|relief=1
| map = India Kerala#India
| map_caption =
| relief = 1
| map_width =
| mapframe = Yes
| map_caption =  
| map_width =  
| location = Kothamangalam taluka, [[Ernakulam district]], [[Kerala|Kerala state]], [[India]]
| location = Kothamangalam taluka, [[Ernakulam district]], [[Kerala|Kerala state]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Kochi]] (Cochin)
| nearest_city = [[Kochi]] (Cochin)
| coordinates   = {{coord|10.13|N|76.68|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|10.13|N|76.68|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = 25.16sq.km.
| area = {{convert|25.16|km2|acre|abbr=on}}
| established = 1983
| established = 1983
| visitation_num =  
| visitation_num =  
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| visitation_ref =  
| visitation_ref =  
| governing_body =  
| governing_body =  
| elevation_avg = {{convert|279|m|feet|abbr=on}}
| elevation_min = {{convert|35|m|feet|abbr=on}}
| elevation_max = {{convert|523|m|feet|abbr=on}}
}}
}}


The '''Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary''', covering an area of barely 25&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and located about 12&nbsp;km from [[Kothamangalam, Kerala|Kothamangalam]] ([[Kerala]] state, [[India]]), was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. [[Salim Ali]], one of the best known [[Ornithology|ornithologists]], described this sanctuary as ''the richest bird habitat on peninsular India.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bird sanctuaries: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary|publisher=ENVIS Centre: Kerala, State of Environment and Related Issues, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101182034/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary and the Dr. Salim Ali, Ernakulam|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/thattekkad-bird-sanctuary/127|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en}}</ref>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]].
The '''Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary''', covering an area of barely 25&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and located about 12&nbsp;km from [[Kothamangalam, Kerala|Kothamangalam]] ([[Kerala]] state, [[India]]), was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. [[Salim Ali]], one of the best known [[Ornithology|ornithologists]], described this sanctuary as ''the richest bird habitat on peninsular India.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bird sanctuaries: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary|publisher=ENVIS Centre: Kerala, State of Environment and Related Issues, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101182034/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary and the Dr. Salim Ali, Ernakulam|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/thattekkad-bird-sanctuary/127|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en}}</ref> 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]].


==Species==
==Species==
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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:
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,
*[[Drongo cuckoo]], which may be easily mistaken for drongo,
*[[Large hawk-cuckoo|Indian hawk cuckoo]], which is highly vocal, and the
*[[Common hawk-cuckoo|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.
*[[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&nbsp;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-eagle|mountain hawk eagles]] are found in this forest. Other birds in this forest include [[Rhopocichla atriceps|dark-fronted babbler]], [[brown-cheeked fulvetta]], [[Brown-backed needletail|brown-backed]] and [[white-rumped needletail]]s, and [[common emerald dove|emerald green pigeons]].
The Idamalayar forest is located about 15&nbsp;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-eagle|mountain hawk eagles]] are found in this forest. Other birds in this forest include [[Rhopocichla atriceps|dark-fronted babbler]], [[brown-cheeked fulvetta]], [[Brown-backed needletail|brown-backed]] and [[white-rumped needletail]]s, and [[common emerald dove|Asian emerald doves]].


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
*{{Cite news|title=Inside a magical rainforest|authors=Swarna V. and Ramakrishnana, S.|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|date=28 May 2006|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/05/28/stories/2006052800100200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101194811/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/05/28/stories/2006052800100200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2013}}
*{{Cite news|title=Inside a magical rainforest|author1=Swarna V. |author2=Ramakrishnana, S. |newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|date=28 May 2006|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/05/28/stories/2006052800100200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101194811/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/05/28/stories/2006052800100200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2013}}
*{{Cite web|title=Bird sanctuaries: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary|publisher=ENVIS Centre: Kerala, State of Environment and Related Issues, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101182034/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web|title=Bird sanctuaries: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary|publisher=ENVIS Centre: Kerala, State of Environment and Related Issues, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101182034/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/Database/Birdsanctuaries_1092.aspx|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|author=Staff|title=Rich pickings await bird lovers here|date=5 May 2009|newspaper=The New Indian Express|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article115095.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101194140/http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article115095.ece|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite news|author=Staff|title=Rich pickings await bird lovers here|date=5 May 2009|newspaper=The New Indian Express|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article115095.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101194140/http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article115095.ece|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=dead}}
*{{Cite news|author=Staff|date=12 August 2010|title=Feel the wild at Thattekkad|newspaper=Malayala Manorama|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?tabId=0&programId=1073773722&contentId=7705375}}
*{{Cite news|author=Staff|date=12 August 2010|title=Feel the wild at Thattekkad|newspaper=Malayala Manorama|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?tabId=0&programId=1073773722&contentId=7705375}}


Latest revision as of 08:56, 25 February 2026


"Thattekkad" redirects here. For Thattekkad dam, see Bhoothathankettu.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary,
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
Map showing the location of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
Map showing the location of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
Map showing the location of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary തട്ടേക്കാട് പക്ഷി സങ്കേതം
LocationKothamangalam taluka, Ernakulam district, Kerala state, India
Nearest cityKochi (Cochin)
Coordinates10°08′N 76°41′E / 10.13°N 76.68°E / 10.13; 76.68
Area25.16 km2 (6,220 acres)
Average elevation279 m (915 ft)
Max. elevation523 m (1,716 ft)
Min. elevation35 m (115 ft)
Established1983

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.[1][2] 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.

Species[edit | edit source]

The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary has a rich and varied birdlife.[2] 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.

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 Asian emerald doves.

See also[edit | edit source]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Ceylon Frogmouth (Sri Lankan Frogmouth), surroundings of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
    Ceylon Frogmouth (Sri Lankan Frogmouth), surroundings of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
  • View of Periyar from Pappitta Bird Trail
    View of Periyar from Pappitta Bird Trail
  • A landscape at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
    A landscape at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
  • A landscape at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
    A landscape at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
  • Thattekad Reservoir
    Thattekad Reservoir
  • Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Trail
    Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Trail

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Bird sanctuaries: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary". ENVIS Centre: Kerala, State of Environment and Related Issues, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary and the Dr. Salim Ali, Ernakulam". Kerala Tourism. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Protected areas of Kerala Template:Bird Sanctuaries

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