Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Munnar, Kerala India

The sanctuary lies near Kothamangalam and is 80 Km from Munnar. Also known as the Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (after India's most famous ornithologist, who was instrumental in its establishment). Thattekad spreads out over a relatively small area of 25 Sq.km of dense forest of rosewood, teak and mahogany. But don't let the diminutive size of the sanctuary put you off; this modest bit of land harbours a fairly impressive selection of avifauna, guaranteed to have any avid bird-watchery yearning for more.

Thattekad's resident species number more than 270, of which the more prominent ones are crimson-throated barbets, rose-billed rollers, sunbirds, shrikes, Malabar grey hornbills, Malayan night herons, rusty-tailed flycatchers, Ceylon frogmouths and parakeets. In addition, the sanctuary is home to more than 200 species of butterflies, plus a few mammals including leopards and bears.