Thattekad
Bird sanctuary
Introduction :
The one and only sanctuary of its kind
in Kerala, the Thattekad Bird sanctuary was constituted in
1983. Situated in Eranakulam district, this bird sanctuary
is a feast to the eyes and music to the ears. Several kinds
of birds usually found in South India are seen here. The famous
ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, was the architect
of this sanctuary. He is reported to have identified 167 birds
and his student, Dr. Sugathan, 207. In addition,
the Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 kinds
of birds. Spread over an extent of 25.16 sq.kms, Thattekkad
attracts nature lovers from far and wide.
Topography
:
As is common on the Western Ghats, the terrian
is undulating and elevation ranges between 35m and 523m. The
tallest point is the Njayapilli peak (523m high).
Forest
Type :
Tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests
and tropical deciduous forests. There are patches of grasslands
also.
Flora
:
Tropical evergreen forests harbour Vellapine,
Karanjili, Palley, Kunthirikam, Bhadraksham, Kanala, Kurangatti,
etc. Tropical semi evergreen forests harbour Angili, Kambacom
etc. and trees of commercial value like Teak, Rose wood, Venteak,
Venga, Maruthi also grow.
Fauna
:
The elephant is an occasional
visitor. Leopard, bear, porcupine, python and cobra are sighted.
Birds
:
Indian roller, cuckoo, common snipe, crow pheasant, jungle
nightjar, kite, grey drongo, Malabar trogon, woodpeckeer,
large pied wagtail, baya sparrow, grey jungle fowl, Indian
hill myna, robin bird, jungle babbler and darter.
Rare
Birds :
Crimson-throated barbet, bee-eater, sunbird, shrike, fairy
blue-bird, grey-headed fishing eagle, blackwinged kite, night
heron, grey heron, Malabar shama, common grey hornbill and
Malabar hornbill.
Travel
Information :
The sanctuary is 13 kms North-East of Kothamangalam
along the Pooyamkutti road. The nearest railway station is
Aluva, at a distance of 48 kms. Kochi, the nearest airport,
is 71 kms from Thattekkad
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