Established in the year 1983, the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is well famous as one of the most attractive bird sanctuaries in India. The sanctuary was set up by the ornithologist of India, Dr. Salim Ali and hence, is also known as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Dr. Ali described Thattekad as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas, during the 1930s. The sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam district of Idukki in Kerala. The bird sanctuary is home to a large number of almost 500 species of exotic birds and hence, is counted amongst the most famous landmarks in Kerala. The sanctuary also houses thick tropical deciduous and evergreen cover trees for providing a safe haven for all the winged creatures. The latitude of the sanctuary is 76 deg. and it has an annual rainfall of about 2500 mm.

The globally acclaimed Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary has a total area of 25 square kilometers and is located in a nice location, between the tributaries of the Periyar River. Among all the bird species found in the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, some of the most notable ones include the Bee-eater, Falcon Grey, Jungle Fowl, Black Winged Kite, Shrike, Crimson-Throated Barbet, Ceylon Frogmoth, Sunbird, Night Heron, Blue Winged Parakeet, White-Breasted Water Hen, Rose-Billed Roller, Hornbill, etc. For this great collection, the sanctuary has earned reputation as a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Apart from the several species of birds, the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is also home to a number of animals and reptiles. There are at least 28 species of animals can be found in this sanctuary and the number of reptiles is innumerous. The most commonly found animals in this sanctuary include the Leopard, Sloth Bear and Porcupine and the animals like Elephants can also be found occasionally. The Cobra and Pythons are the most common ones, among all the reptiles found in this bird sanctuary. The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary also offers the visitors a chance to know about a variety of plants. The vegetation in this sanctuary includes the common plants like Teak, Mahogany and Rosewood and the trees make a wonderful lush green cover to blanket the sanctuary.