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Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Thattekkad Bird sanctuary is situated in kothamangalam thaluk of Eranakulam District in kerala state. It is located between longitudes 76040,E and latitudes 1007 and 110N. Total extent of the sanctuary is 25.16km2 and it consists of tropical evergreen forest, tropical semi-evergreen forest and moist deciduous forest. The nearest townshipis at kothamangalam. The headquarters of the sanctuary is at Thattekkad and is connected by road. Nearest railway station is Aluva at a distance of 48kms and Airport at Nedumbassary, which is 50kms. There are frequent busses connecting the sanctuary and public convergences facilities like taxi, telephone are also available. Lodging facilities and rest houses are available at reasonable rates.

This is the only bird sanctuary in kerala and is a tropical bird community sanctuary. The area is a Heaven for nature lovers and bird watches with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Over 320 specious of birds are listed from the sanctuary itself. Rare birds like Barbets, Bee-earers, sunbirds, shrikes, fairey Blue bird, Grey headed fishing eagle, black Basa, Malabar Trogon, Hornbills, Shama, Frogmouth, Dollar bird Ruby Throated Bulbul etc are seen in the sanctuary.

The area is on the foothills of Western Ghats at an elevation between 65 to 523M-MSL. The elimate of the sanctuary is tropical and humid rainfall is received both during southwest and north. - East Monsoon with an average rainfall of 3000mm. Maximum precipitation is in the month of July. Temperature varies between 200 and 300c in December-January and 220 to320cin April-may. January to May are generally dry months.

The vegetarian types like tropical wet evergreen forest, Tropical semi-evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, Riparian forest, teak forest Rose wood plantation, Mahagony plantation, Fruit orchard etc.Apart from this 57 species of fishes. (7 are endemic kerala) and 48 species are endemic to westernGhats) 12 specious of amphibians (4 are endemic to western Ghats), 30 specious of reptiles, Sambar, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Wild bore, wild dogs, civit cats jungle cat, Flying squirrels, Bats etc are also seen. More that 76 specious of butterflies are identified from the sanctuary.

In short, Thattekkad bird sanctuary serves as a field laboratory for conservation education, research and monitoring. This bird watchers paradise has important position on the tourism map of kerala.

Other Bird Sanctuaries in Kerala

Kadalundi Bird Sanctury- Kozhikkod District
The sanctury at Kadalundi is a Haven for migratory birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sand pipers, Whimbrels and other such migratory birds flock from the month of November and returns only by the end of April. It is 25 kms. from Kozhikode. The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.

 Pakshipathalam Bird Santuary – Wayanad District:- Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills at Thirunelly is a challenging tourist spot. It is 7 kms. north-east of Thirunelly temple and is situated 1740m. above mean sea level. To reach 'Pakshipathalam', 17 kms. have to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is theabode of various birds and wild beasts.

Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary – Kottayam District:- Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.Pathiramanal (sands of midnight), an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by   boat   from here. This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world. According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water madeway for the land to rise from below. The island can be accessed only by boat. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.

Attractions of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:- The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons.

Viewing the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:- Houseboats and motorboats are available on hire for bird watching cruises on the lake.

Best Time To Visit:- The best time to bird watch is between June and August. To watch Migratory birds, November to February is the best time.

Bird Watching Packages are available with us. Contact naturenest@gmail.com 

 

List of Birds

Top

1.Grey Jungle Fowl Gallus sonneratii	74. Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum	147. Indian Shag Phalacrocoax fuscicollis	220. Grackle or Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
2.Lesser Whistling Teal Dendrocygna javanica	75. Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata	148. Large Cormorant Phalacrocoax carbo	221. Velvet fronted Nuthatch Sitta frotalis
3.Cotton Pigmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus	76. Ceylon Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger	149. Little Egret Egretta garzetta	222. Grey Tit Parus major
4. Spot bill Duck Anas peocilorhyncha	77. Great eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis	150. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea	223.Yellowcheeked Tit Parus xanthogenys
5. Pintail Duck Anas acuta	78. Indian Jungle Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus	151. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea	224. Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris
6. Garganey Anas querquedula	79. Long tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus	152. LargeEgret Ardea alba	225. Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor
7. Wryneck jynx torquilla	80. Common Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus	153. Smaller Egret Egretta intermedia	226. Eastern Swallow Hirundo rustica
8. Speckled Piculet picumnus innominatus	81. Franklin’s Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis	154. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis	227. House Swallow Hirundo Tahiti
9. Pigmy Woodpecker Pico ides nanus	82. Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia	155. Pond Heron or Paddy Bird Ardeola grayii	228. Wiretailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
10. Yellow fronted pied Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis	83. Nilgiri Wood Pigeon Columba elphinstonii	156. Little Green Heron Ardeola striatus	229. Red rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
11. Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus	84. Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis	157. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax	230. Indian Cliff Swallow Hirundo fluvicola
12. Indian Great Black Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis	85. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis	158. Malay or Tiger Bittern Gorsachius melanolophus	231. House Martin Delichon urbica
13. Small Yellow napped Woodpecker Picus chlorolophus	86. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica	159. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis	232. Grey headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus
14. Little Scalybellied Green Woodpecker Picus myrmecophoneus	87. Orange breasted Green Pigeon Treron Bicincta	160. Chestnut Bittern Ixobrychus minutus	233. Ruby throated Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
15. Indian Goldenbacked Threetoed Woodpecker Dinopium javanense	88. Grey fronted Green Pigeon Treron pompadora	161. Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis	234. Red whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
16. Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker Dinopium benghalense	89. Yellow footed green pigeon Treron phoenicoptera	162. Open Bill Stork Anastomus oscitans	235. Red vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
17. Larger Goldenbacked Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes lucidus	90.Green imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea	163. Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura	236. Whitebrowed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus
18. Red Spur foul	91. Jerdon’s imperial pigeon Ducula badia	164. Fairy Bluebird Irena puella	237. Yellow browed Bulbul Hypsipetes indicus
19. Heart spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente	92. White breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus	165. Jerdon’s or Goldmantled Chloropsis Chloropsis cochinchinensis	238. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensis
20. Green Barbet Megalaima zeylanica	93. Banded Crake Rallina eurizonoides	166. Gold fronted Chloropsis Chloropsis aurifrons	239. Streaked Fantail Warbler Cisticola juncidis
21. Small Green Barbet Megalaima viridis	94. Ruddy Crake Porzana fusca	167. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus	240. Franklin’s Wren Warbler Prinia hodgsonii
22.Chrimsonthroated Barbet Megalaima rubricapilla	95. Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla	168. Rufousbacked Shrike Lanius schach	241. Jungle Wren Warbler Prinia sylvattica
23. Crimsonbreasted Barbet Megalaima heamacephala	96. Kora Water Cock Gallicrex cinerea	169. Indian Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda	242. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
24. Malabar Grey Hornbill Tockus griseus	97. Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio	170. Southern or White bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra	243. Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola
25. Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus	98.Indian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus	171. House Crow Corvus splendens	244. Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola
26. Hoopoe Upupa epops	99. Coot Fulica atra	172.Jungle Crow Corvus macroorhynchos	245. White Eye Zosterops palpebrosus
27. Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus	100.Pintail Snipe Gallinago gallinago	173. Ashy Swallow-Shrike Artamus fuscus	246. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum
28. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis	101.Green Sandpiper Tringa erythropus	174. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus	247. Thick billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon
29. Broadbilled Roller Eurystomus orientalis	102.Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola	175. Black napped Oriole Oriolus chinensis	248. Indian Great Reed Warbler Acrocepgalus stentoreus
30. Commom Kingfisher Alcedo atthis	103. Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos	176. Black headed Oriole Oriolus xanthornus	249. Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata
31. Blue Eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting	104. Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis	177. Large Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina novaehollandiae	250.Ashy WrenWarbler Prinia socialis
32. Theetoed Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus	105.Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus	178. Black headed Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina melanoptera	251. Plain Wren Warbler Prinia subflava
33. Strok billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis	106. Bronzewinged Jacana Metopidius indicus	179. Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomes	252. Tailor Bird Orthotomus sutorius
34. White breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis	107.Blackwinged Stilt Himantopus himantopus	180. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus	253. Tickell’s leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis
35. Black capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata	108. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius	181. Pied Flycatcher Shrike Hemipus picatus	254. Greenish Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides
36. Travancore Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis travancoreeensis	109. Yellow wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus	182. Whitebrowed Fantail Flycatcher Rhipidura aureola	255. Large billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris
37. Blue bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni	110.Red wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus	183. Black Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis	256. Tytler’s leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri
38. Green Bee-eater Merops oriented	111. Small Indian Pratincole Glareola lacteal	184. Grey orAshy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus	257. Large crowned leaf Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis
39. Blue tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus	112. Indian River Tern Strna aurantia	185. White bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens	258. Broadtailed Grass Warbler Schoencola Platyura
40. Chestnut headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti	113. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus	186. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus	259. Wynad Laughing Garrulax delesserti
41. Pied Crested Cuckoo Clamator Jacobinus	114. White Winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus	187. Hair crested Drongo hottentottus	260. Spotted Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps
42. Red winged crested Cuckoo Clamatorcoromandus	115. Osprey Pandion haliaetus	188. Greater Racket – tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus	261. Indian Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
43. Common Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus varius	116. Indian Black Crested Baza Aviceda leuphotes	189. Black napped Flycatcher Hypothymis	262. Black headed Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps
44. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus	117. Honey Buzzard Pernus ptilorhyncus	190. Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi	263. Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufus
45. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus	118. Blackwinged Kite Elanus caeruleus	191. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia	264. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus
46. Indian Banded BayCuckoo Cacomantis sonneratti	119.Pariah Kite Milvus migrans	192. Malabar Wood Shrike Tephrodornis gularis	265. White headed Babbler Turdoides affinis
47. Indian Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus	120.Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus	193. Common Wood Shrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus	266. Quaker Babbler Alcippe poiocephala
48. Rufousbellied PlaintiveCuckoo Cacomantis merulinus	121. Grey Headed Fishing Eagle Ichthyophaga ivhthyaetus	194. Blue headed Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus	267. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
49. Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris	122. Scavenger Vulture Neophron percnopterus	195. Blue rock Thrush Monticola solitarius	268. Bush Lark Mirafra assamica
50. Koel Eudynamys scolopacea	123. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus	196. Malabar Whistling Thrush Myiophonus horsfieldii	269. Rufoustailed Finch-Lark Ammomanes phoenicurus
51. Small Green billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris	124. Indian White backedVulture Gyps benghalensis	197. Orange headed Ground Thrush Zoothera citrina citrina	270. Malabar Crested Lark Galerida malabarica
52. Crow Pheasant Centropus sinensis	125. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela	198. White throated Ground Thrush Zoothera citrina cyanotus	271. Eastern Skylark Alauda gulgula
53. Lesser Coucal Centropus toulou	126. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus	199. Black bird Turdus merula	272. Thick billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile
54. Indian Lorikeet Loriculus vernalis	127. Pale Harrier Circus macrourus	200. Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latriostris	273.Tickell’sFlowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
55. Roseringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri	128. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos	201. Rufous tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda	274. Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor
56. Blossom headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala	129. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus	202. Brown Breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui	275. Purple rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylanica
57. Blue winged Parakeet Psittacula columbodies	130. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus	203. Redbreasted Flycatcher Muscicapa parva	276. Small Sunbird Nectarinia minima
58. Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor	131. Shikra Accipiter badius	204. Verditer Flycatcher Muscicapa thalassina	277. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica
59. Whiterumped Spinetaeil Swift Chaetura sylvatica	132. Besra Sparrow-Hawk Accipiter virgatus	205. Nilgiri Flycatcher Muscicapa albicaudata	278. Loten’s Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia
60. Large Brownthroated Spinetail Swift Chaetura gigantean	133. Sparrow-Hawk Accipiter nisus	206. White bellied blue Flycatcher Muscicapa pallipes	279. Little Spider hunter Arachnothera longirostra
61. Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus balasiensis	134. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo	207. Blue throated Flycatcher Muscicapa rubeculoides	280. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
62. Alpine Swift Apus melba	135. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis	208. Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Muscicapa tickelliae	281. Yellow throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis
63. House Swift Apus affinis	136. Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus	209.Blue Chat Erithacus brunneus	282. Forest Wagtail Motacilla indica
64. Crested Tree Swift Hemiprocne longipennis	137. Booted Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus	210. Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis	283. Large Pied wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis
65. Barn Owl Tyto alba	138.Rufousbellied Eagle Hieraaetus Kienerii	211. Shama Copsychus malabaricus	284. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
66. Grass Owl Tyto capensis	139. Crested Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus	212. Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata	285. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae
67. Peninsular Bay Owl Phodilus badius ripleyi	140. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus	213. Grey headed Myna Sturnus malabaricus malabaricus	286. Weaver Bird Ploceus philippinus
68. Oriental Scops Owl Otus scops rufipennis	141.Redheaded Merlin Falco chicquera	214. Blyth’s Myna Sturnus malabaricus blythii	287. Red Munia Estrilda amandava
69. Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena	142.Laggar Falcon Falco jugger	215. White headed Myna Sturnus erythropygius	288. White backed Munia Lonchura striata
70. Eagle Owl or Great Horned Owl Bubo bubo	143. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus	216.Blackheaded or Brahminy Myna Sturnus pagodarum	289. Rufousbellied Munia Lonchura kelaarti
71. Forest Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis	144. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis	217. Rosy Pastor Sturnus roseus	290. Spotted Munia Lonchura punctulata
72. Brown Fish Owl Bubo zeylonensis	145. Darter orSnake Bird Anhinga rufa	218. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis	291. Blackheaded Munia Lonchura Malacca
73. Mottled Wood owl Strix ocellata	146. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger	219. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus	292. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus