Thatekkad Birding Tour – 4Nights/5 Days
Thatekkad Birding Tour – 4Nights/5 Days
No. of days
5
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
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Overview
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, also known as Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is Kerala’s first bird sanctuary and one of the best birding spots in South India. It is located on the banks of the Periyar River and covers 25 square kilometers of beautiful tropical lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The sanctuary includes lagoons, marshes, and river habitats shaped by the nearby Bhootattankettu dam. It lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats, a globally important biodiversity hotspot.
India’s most famous ornithologist, who called it the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, Thattekad is home to over 320 bird species. Many of these birds are unique to the Western Ghats. The sanctuary’s varied habitats support a wide range of birds—ranging from elusive forest species and bright endemics to aquatic birds and impressive raptors. Some special birds found here include the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, Ceylon Frogmouth, and Oriental Bay Owl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Crested Tree-Swift, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Common Hoopoe, White-cheeked Barbet, Crimson-throated Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Rufous Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Indian Pitta, Richard’s Pipit, Large Cuckoo-Shrike, Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike, Large Woodshrike, Eurasian Blackbird, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Babbler, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Black-headed Babbler, Western Crowned Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Indian Plaintive Cuckoo, and Lesser Coucal.
Besides birds, Thattekad’s forests and wetlands are alive with other wildlife as well. Around 34 species of mammals, 30 species of reptiles, 15 amphibians, and 47 species of fish also call this area home.
Thattekad is easy to reach from Kochi, Kerala’s major city, making it a great place for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. Over several days, visitors explore different trails through dense forests, wetlands, and riverbanks. The sanctuary also offers exciting night birding, where nightjars, owls, and frogmouths can be seen.
We specially crafted this itinerary to help you observe hundreds of bird species, including approximately 14 endemic species that are found exclusively in the Western Ghats. This thattekad birding tour offers a rewarding and varied birding experience that showcases the unique birdlife and wildlife of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. With dedicated opportunities for both daytime and nighttime birdwatching, it maximizes your chances of spotting rare and endemic species.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the oldest bird sanctuary in Kerala named after renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali.
- Spot over 280 species including rare and endemic birds such as Ceylon Frogmouth, Black Baza, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, and Bay Owl.
- Visit diverse habitats: river banks, marshes, tropical forests, and reservoirs.
- Experience nocturnal birding for rare night species like Oriental Bay-Owl, Brown Fish-Owl, and Great Eared-Nightjar.
- Target iconic Western Ghats birds: Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, Wayanad Laughing Thrush, and Nilgiri Flycatcher.
- Enjoy well-guided birding on varied trails for a deep encounter with Thattekad’s rich birdlife.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kochi – Transfer to Thattekad – Afternoon Birding
Arrive at Kochi International Airport, where our representative will welcome and transfer you on a scenic 2-hour drive to Thattekad. After checking into the resort and lunch break, we begin our birding trip by exploring nearby trails and if time permits, we will venture into deeper sections of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Expect to start spotting species like Malabar Trogon, Pompadour Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, and Blue-winged (Malabar) Parakeet.
As dusk falls, opportunity for night birding arises where you may encounter Oriental Bay-Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, and Brown Fish-Owl.
Day 2: Full Day Birdwatching at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
A full day dedicated to birding the best trails of Thattekad. We seek out elusive forest birds and raptors including Malabar Grey Hornbill, Black Baza, Brahminy Kite, Crested Goshawk, and Rufous-bellied Eagle. Along the waterways, watch for aquatic birds like Spot-billed Pelican, Great Cormorant, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow Bittern, and River Tern.
Our afternoon may include visits to marshy areas near Bhootattankettu dam for marsh birds such as Slaty-legged Crake and Ruddy-breasted Crake.
Night birding continues the thrill with sightings of Great Eared-Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, and Savanna Nightjar.
Day 3: Exploring New Trails and Returning Favorites
Today, we explore different birding zones including the Urulanthanni trail known for rare endemics like Grey-headed Bulbul and Wayanad Laughing Thrush. Other sought-after species include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Dollarbird, White-cheeked Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Indian Pitta, and Large Hawk-Cuckoo.
We may revisit productive trails to confirm sightings of Indian White-backed Vulture, Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike, and Malabar Whistling-Thrush. The day ends again with nocturnal birding for species such as Collared Scops Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl.
Day 4: Final Day of Extensive Birding at Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary
On our final day of intensive birding, we aim to spot species missed earlier and add late comers to our list. Potential sightings include Eurasian Blackbird, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Babbler, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Black-headed Babbler, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue-Flycatcher, Blue-headed Rock-Thrush, Malabar Whistling-Thrush, and various bulbuls and sunbirds like Blue-winged Leafbird, Asian Fairy-Bluebird, Crimson-backed Sunbird, and Loten’s Sunbird.
Expect another rewarding night birding session of owl and nightjar species to conclude our Thattekad birding experience.
Day 5: Departure – Transfer Back to Kochi
After breakfast, we pack up and drive back to Kochi International Airport for your onward journey. The Thattekad birding tour concludes, leaving you with incredible memories and extensive birding highlights from one of India’s premier bird sanctuaries.
No. of days
5
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
Overview
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, also known as Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is Kerala’s first bird sanctuary and one of the best birding spots in South India. It is located on the banks of the Periyar River and covers 25 square kilometers of beautiful tropical lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The sanctuary includes lagoons, marshes, and river habitats shaped by the nearby Bhootattankettu dam. It lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats, a globally important biodiversity hotspot.
India’s most famous ornithologist, who called it the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, Thattekad is home to over 320 bird species. Many of these birds are unique to the Western Ghats. The sanctuary’s varied habitats support a wide range of birds—ranging from elusive forest species and bright endemics to aquatic birds and impressive raptors. Some special birds found here include the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, Ceylon Frogmouth, and Oriental Bay Owl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Crested Tree-Swift, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Common Hoopoe, White-cheeked Barbet, Crimson-throated Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Rufous Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Indian Pitta, Richard’s Pipit, Large Cuckoo-Shrike, Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike, Large Woodshrike, Eurasian Blackbird, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Babbler, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Black-headed Babbler, Western Crowned Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Indian Plaintive Cuckoo, and Lesser Coucal.
Besides birds, Thattekad’s forests and wetlands are alive with other wildlife as well. Around 34 species of mammals, 30 species of reptiles, 15 amphibians, and 47 species of fish also call this area home.
Thattekad is easy to reach from Kochi, Kerala’s major city, making it a great place for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. Over several days, visitors explore different trails through dense forests, wetlands, and riverbanks. The sanctuary also offers exciting night birding, where nightjars, owls, and frogmouths can be seen.
We specially crafted this itinerary to help you observe hundreds of bird species, including approximately 14 endemic species that are found exclusively in the Western Ghats. This thattekad birding tour offers a rewarding and varied birding experience that showcases the unique birdlife and wildlife of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. With dedicated opportunities for both daytime and nighttime birdwatching, it maximizes your chances of spotting rare and endemic species.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the oldest bird sanctuary in Kerala named after renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali.
- Spot over 280 species including rare and endemic birds such as Ceylon Frogmouth, Black Baza, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, and Bay Owl.
- Visit diverse habitats: river banks, marshes, tropical forests, and reservoirs.
- Experience nocturnal birding for rare night species like Oriental Bay-Owl, Brown Fish-Owl, and Great Eared-Nightjar.
- Target iconic Western Ghats birds: Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, Wayanad Laughing Thrush, and Nilgiri Flycatcher.
- Enjoy well-guided birding on varied trails for a deep encounter with Thattekad’s rich birdlife.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kochi – Transfer to Thattekad – Afternoon Birding
Arrive at Kochi International Airport, where our representative will welcome and transfer you on a scenic 2-hour drive to Thattekad. After checking into the resort and lunch break, we begin our birding trip by exploring nearby trails and if time permits, we will venture into deeper sections of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Expect to start spotting species like Malabar Trogon, Pompadour Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, and Blue-winged (Malabar) Parakeet.
As dusk falls, opportunity for night birding arises where you may encounter Oriental Bay-Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, and Brown Fish-Owl.
Day 2: Full Day Birdwatching at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
A full day dedicated to birding the best trails of Thattekad. We seek out elusive forest birds and raptors including Malabar Grey Hornbill, Black Baza, Brahminy Kite, Crested Goshawk, and Rufous-bellied Eagle. Along the waterways, watch for aquatic birds like Spot-billed Pelican, Great Cormorant, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow Bittern, and River Tern.
Our afternoon may include visits to marshy areas near Bhootattankettu dam for marsh birds such as Slaty-legged Crake and Ruddy-breasted Crake.
Night birding continues the thrill with sightings of Great Eared-Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, and Savanna Nightjar.
Day 3: Exploring New Trails and Returning Favorites
Today, we explore different birding zones including the Urulanthanni trail known for rare endemics like Grey-headed Bulbul and Wayanad Laughing Thrush. Other sought-after species include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Dollarbird, White-cheeked Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Indian Pitta, and Large Hawk-Cuckoo.
We may revisit productive trails to confirm sightings of Indian White-backed Vulture, Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike, and Malabar Whistling-Thrush. The day ends again with nocturnal birding for species such as Collared Scops Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl.
Day 4: Final Day of Extensive Birding at Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary
On our final day of intensive birding, we aim to spot species missed earlier and add late comers to our list. Potential sightings include Eurasian Blackbird, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Babbler, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Black-headed Babbler, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue-Flycatcher, Blue-headed Rock-Thrush, Malabar Whistling-Thrush, and various bulbuls and sunbirds like Blue-winged Leafbird, Asian Fairy-Bluebird, Crimson-backed Sunbird, and Loten’s Sunbird.
Expect another rewarding night birding session of owl and nightjar species to conclude our Thattekad birding experience.
Day 5: Departure – Transfer Back to Kochi
After breakfast, we pack up and drive back to Kochi International Airport for your onward journey. The Thattekad birding tour concludes, leaving you with incredible memories and extensive birding highlights from one of India’s premier bird sanctuaries.
