Birdwatching at Thattekad

Thattekad, also called the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary after the ornithologist, spreads across 25 sq km of moist deciduous forest hugging the Periyar River. It was Kerala's first declared bird sanctuary, back in 1983, and the numbers back up the reputation — over 300 bird species recorded here, alongside 34 mammal and 30 reptile species. Western Ghats endemics like the Malabar trogon, Malabar barbet and Malabar grey hornbill are the ones birders travel for. Most visitors start on the Salim Ali Trail, a self-guided path through the safe zone that needs no guard and gives a solid first taste of the forest and its birdlife. If you want more, the Bazza Trail (7-8:30 am start, 3.5 hours, guard-accompanied) and the Frogout Trail (2.5 hours, runs till 3 pm) go deeper but need a minimum of two people and a booked slot. A one-hour motor boat ride on the Periyar River runs through the day from the jetty inside the sanctuary — a quieter, low-effort way to see waterside birds and the forest from a different angle. Beyond the birding, there's a mini zoo, a butterfly park and an Orchidarium cum Fern House with labelled indigenous orchids and ferns, plus a coffee shop if you need a break. Carry a still or video camera permit if you're shooting seriously — it's a small extra fee at the counter. Budget 3-4 hours minimum if you want to do more than just the main trail.