Kerala

Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis ©Shantanu Kuveskar CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons Website

Kerala is a state on the Malabar Coast of India.  Spread over nearly 39,000 km2 (15,000 square miles), Kerala is the 21st largest Indian state by area. It is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With around 35 million inhabitants, Kerala is the 13th-largest Indian state by population and almost half live in towns and cities. It is divided into 14 districts with The capital and largest city is Thiruvananthapuram with nearly 3 million people. Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and is also the official language of the state.

Kerala has the lowest positive population growth rate in India; the highest Human Development Index; the highest literacy rate; the highest life expectancy and the highest sex ratio of women to men. Kerala is the least impoverished state in India and the second-most urbanised major state. Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler,  Kerala is one of the prominent tourist destinations of India, with coconut-lined sandy beaches, backwaters, hill stations, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery as its major attractions.

Ezhimala Beach – ©Sreejithk2000, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The state has a coast of 590 km and can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands; rugged and cool mountainous terrain, the central mid-lands; rolling hills, and the western lowlands; coastal plains. The eastern region of Kerala consists of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys immediately west of the Western Ghats’ rain shadow. 41 of Kerala’s west-flowing rivers, and 3 of its east-flowing ones originate in this region. The Western Ghats form a wall of mountains interrupted only near Palakkad. Western Ghats rise on average to 4,900 feet above sea level, while the highest peaks reach around 8,200 feet. Anamudi in the Idukki district is the highest peak in south India, is at an elevation of 8,842 feet. The Western Ghats mountain chain is recognised as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity and is listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The chain’s forests are considered to be older than the Himalaya mountains. The Athirappilly Falls, which is situated on the background of Western Ghat mountain ranges, is also known as The Niagara of India. It is located in the Chalakudy River and is the largest waterfall in the state.

Wayanad is the sole Plateau in Kerala.  The eastern regions in the districts of Wayanad, Malappuram (Chaliyar valley at Nilambur), and Palakkad (Attappadi Valley), which together form parts of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, are known for natural Gold fields, and minerals including Ilmenite, Monazite, Thorium, and Titanium, are found in the coastal belt.

Backwater at Kumarakom – ©Lenish CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The state is situated between Arabian Sea to the west and Western Ghats mountain ranges to the east. The state’s coastline extends for 595 kilometres (370 miles), and around 1.1 million people in the state are dependent on the fishery industry. Kerala’s western coastal belt is relatively flat compared to the eastern region and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. Kuttanad, also known as The Rice Bowl of Kerala, has the lowest altitude in India, and is also one of the few places in world where cultivation takes place below sea level. Kerala produces 97% of the national output of black pepper and accounts for 85% of the natural rubber in the country. Coconut, tea, coffee, cashew, and spices – including cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg are the main agricultural products. Around 80% of India’s export quality cashew kernels are prepared in Kollam.

The country’s longest lake Vembanad, dominates the backwaters; it lies between Alappuzha and Kochi with an area of about 200 km2 (77 square miles). Around eight percent of India’s waterways are found in Kerala. Kerala’s 44 rivers include the Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Chaliyar, Kadalundipuzha, Chalakudipuzha, Valapattanam and the Achankovil Rivers. Many of the rivers are small and entirely fed by monsoon rain. As Kerala’s rivers are small and lacking in delta, they are more prone to environmental effects. The rivers face problems such as sand mining and pollution.

Munnar – ©Bimal K C from Cochin, India, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

With around 120–140 rainy days per year, Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon and northeast winter monsoon. Around 65% of the rainfall occurs from June to August corresponding to the Southwest monsoon, and the rest from September to December corresponding to Northeast monsoon. The moisture-laden winds of the Southwest monsoon, on reaching the southernmost point of the Indian Peninsula, because of its topography, divides into two branches; the ‘Arabian Sea Branch’ and the ‘Bay of Bengal Branch’. The Arabian Sea Branch of the Southwest monsoon first hits the Western Ghats, making Kerala the first state in India to receive rain. The distribution of pressure patterns is reversed in the Northeast monsoon, during this season the cold winds from North India pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and precipitate it on the east coast of peninsular India. In Kerala, the influence of the Northeast monsoon is seen in southern districts only. Kerala’s rainfall averages 115 inches annually.  Some of Kerala’s drier lowland regions average only 49 inches; the mountains of the eastern Idukki district receive more than 197 inches of orographic precipitation: the highest in the state.

In eastern Kerala, a drier tropical wet and dry climate prevails. During the summer, the state is prone to gale-force winds, storm surges, cyclone-related torrential downpours, occasional droughts, and rises in sea level. The mean daily temperature ranges from 19.8 °C to 36.7 °C. Mean annual temperatures range from 25 to 27.5 °C in the coastal lowlands to 20 to 22.5 °C in the eastern highlands.

Birding Kerala

Most of the biodiversity is concentrated and protected in the Western Ghats. Three-quarters of the land area of Kerala was under thick forest up to the 18th century and over 25% of India’s 15,000 plant species are present in Kerala. Out of the 4,000 flowering plant species; 1,272 of which are endemic to Kerala, 900 are medicinal, and 159 are threatened. Its 9,400 km2 of forests include tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen, tropical moist and dry deciduous forests montane subtropical and temperate (shola) forests. Altogether, around a quarter of Kerala is still forested and mostly protected. There are four Ramsar listed wetlands – Lake Sasthamkotta, Ashtamudi Lake, Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands as well as 1455.4 km2 of the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and 1828 km2 of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Eastern Kerala’s windward mountains shelter tropical moist forests and tropical dry forests, which are common in the Western Ghats.

Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands – ©Challiyan CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Kerala’s fauna is notable for its diversity and high rates of endemism: it includes 118 species of mammals (1 endemic), well over 500 species of birds, 189 species of freshwater fish, 173 species of reptiles (10 of them endemic), and 151 species of amphibians (36 endemic). These are threatened by extensive habitat destruction, including soil erosion, landslides, salinisation, and resource extraction. In the forests there are more than 1,000 species of trees.Larege mammals include. Reptiles include King Cobra and Mugger Crocodile. Kerala’s birds include Malabar Trogon, Great Hornbill, Kerala Laughingthrush and Southern Hill Myna. Recently, a newly described tardigrade (water bear) species collected from Vadakara coast of Kerala named after Kerala State; Stygarctus keralensis.Sandwiched between the lofty green-shrouded Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea lies Kerala, the quiet mystic – Gods Own Country. Kerala is well endowed with avifauna as well over 500 species of resident and migratory birds abound in this area. Lush green tropical forests, numerous freshwater and brackish lakes and waterlogged paddy fields form the major birding habitats of this region. Since the time when Professor K K Neelakantan first mesmerised a wide audience with his entertaining books in Malayalam; birdwatching has caught the Indian public’s imagination. Kerala is both literally and metaphorically lush! Out of the sticky heat it feels as if the plants are growing as you watch and you will not be disappointed with the birds.

Top Sites
  • Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    Kumarakom is a large backwater lagoon. While moving around the lagoon, you are likely to see White-breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Small Blue Kingfisher, Little Cormorant, White-breasted Waterhen, Black Bittern, Chestnut Bitten, Little Egret, Cattle Egret and Median Egrets. You may also see Great Cormorants, Open-billed Storks, Grey Herons, Yellow Bitterns, White Ibis, Cotton Teal, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Koras, Black-caped Kingfishers, Ruddy Crakes, Gull-billed Terns and Shikras.
  • Periyar Tiger Reserve

    InformationSatellite View
    Parambikulam - Periyar is well located as a centre for seeing most of these ornithological specialties of the Western Ghats, as well as large numbers of other resident hill species and migrants. It is also one of the best-managed Tiger Reserves in the country and is home to large herds of elephants, bison, bears, leopards and tigers. Its attraction for birdwatchers is enhanced by the proximity of low-lying plains on three sides. There is considerable local migration of lowland species, often in the drier weather, up into the foothills, and several interesting examples of ecological counterparts in pairs of wet zone and dry zone species can be found, e.g. the Barbets. This is particularly noticeable at Thekkady, conveniently sited near the top of a steep 450m/1500ft ghat above the dry Tamil Nadu plain. In deciduous forest around Thekkady the commonest species in mixed foraging flocks are, in descending order Racket-tailed Drongo, Scarlet Minivet, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Bronzed Drongo, Grey Tit, Golden-backed Woodpeckers, White-bellied Treepie, Jungle Babbler, Indian Rufus Treepie, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Large Wood Shrike, Ashy Drongo, Small Minivet, Gold-fronted Leafbird, Small Green Barbet and a variety of Flowerpeckers. Other common birds include Orioles, Fairy Bluebird, Leaf Warbler, Flycatchers and Quaker Babbler. Almost all species recorded in the sanctuary can be seen at one time or another in the Tourist Zone, although it is necessary to climb to the grassy hilltops find some, such as Brown Pipit and Pied Bush Chat.
  • Silent Valley National Park

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats.
  • Thattekkad

    InformationSatellite View
    If one makes a birding trip to Kerala try not to miss out on Thattekkad - the only tropical bird sanctuary in India. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is 12 km NE of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam District, Kerala state, about 50 km east of Kochi. This is the prime birding destination in South India. Specialties here include Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Red Spurfowl, Bay Owl, Rufous Babbler, Blue-faced Malkoha, Brown-breasted, White-bellied Blue-tailed and Rusty-tailed Flycatchers, Grey-headed Bulbul and Wynad Laughing Thrush. Moreover, Thattekkad is ideal for seeing a good number of the 16 endemics of the Western Ghats. The more difficult birds are Wynad Laughing Thrush and Grey-headed Bulbul. Proceed to Orullathany, at one end of the reserve, for the Bulbul and Laughing Thrush. Also visit Edamalayar Power Plant land and the South side of the river for the owls, Streak-throated Woodpecker and Yellow-billed Babbler. Other notable species likely to be seen within the Reserve are Red Spurfowl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Blue-faced Malkoha, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Rufous Babbler, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, White-bellied Treepie and Black-throated Munia.
  • Thrissur Kole Wetlands

    InformationSatellite View
    Kole Wetlands are a winter wildfowl area of international importance. The Kol lands (marshlands & open paddy fields) surrounding the town of Thrissur and are famed for birding. The traditional farming lands of Central Kerala grow rice, coconuts and other spices. Here Red Avadavat, Streaked Weaver, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Malabar Lark, abound as do many water birds.
  • Wayanad Wildlife Santuary

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve , which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest. Elephant, spotted deer. Bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear etc. can be spotted here. Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest department.
Contributors
  • Praveen Jayadevan

    | painted_stork@yahoo.com

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 588

    (As at July 2024)

    State Bird: Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis

Endemics
  • Number of endemics: 16 - 33 Western Ghats Endemics

    Authorities agree that there are around 20 species of bird endemic to the Western Ghats, they are:

    Nilgiri Woodpigeon Columba elphinstonii
    Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides
    Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus
    Malabar Barbet Megalaima malabarica
    White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra
    Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus
    Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyurus
    Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufa
    Wayanad Laughingthrush Garrulax delesserti
    Nilgiri Laughingthrush Garrulax cachinnans
    Banasura Laughingthrush  Garrulax jerdoni
    Kerala Laughingthrush Garrulax fairbanki
    Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa
    Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus
    White-bellied Blue-flycatcher Cyornis pallipes
    Crimson-backed Sunbird Nectarinia minima
    Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis
    Nilgiri Thrush Zoothera neilgherriensis
    White Bellied Blue Robin Myiomela albiventris
    Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor

    The majority can be found in Kerala.

Checklist
  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Kerala , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.
  • Semantic Scholar

    Annotated Checklist
    : A checklist of birds of Kerala State is presented in this paper. Accepted English names, scientific binomen, prevalent vernacular names in Malayalam, IUCN conservation status, endemism, Wildlife (Protection) Act schedules, and the appendices in the CITES, pertaining to the birds of Kerala are also given. The State of Kerala has 500 species of birds, 17 of which are endemic to Western Ghats, and 24 species fall under the various threatened categories of IUCN.
  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    The state of Kerala, India, has 567 bird species within its boundaries.
  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Backyard Birds of South India

    | By FXJ Pereira | Other India Press | 2006 | Paperback | 84 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9788185569710 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Kerala

    | By KK Neelakantan & Uma Sathesan| Kerala Sahitya Akademi | 2021 | Hardback | 592 pages | ISBN: 9788195527861 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Fauna of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Ernakulam District, Kerala

    | Written & Published by Zoological Survey of India | 2022 | Paperback | 352 pages, plates with colour photos | ISBN: 9788181715852 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Flying Colours of Vembanad

    | By KP Laladhas, Linda John, Dinesan Cheruvat & Oommen V Oommen | Kerala State Biodiversity Board | 2017 | Paperback | 281 pages, colour photos, colour maps | ISBN: 9788193259641 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Organisations
  • Bird Atlas Kerala

    Webpage
    Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA) was an ambitious citizen science project to map the distribution and abundance of birds in an entire Indian state for the first time. A group of birdwatchers, in 2015, took up the challenge as a five-year activity. Around 34 organizations, including NGOs (WWF India's Kerala State Office and many others), government departments, and many individual experts, supported the program. As many as 850 Volunteers from across Kerala and neighbouring states contributed their time and effort to this pioneering project.
  • Birdwatchers of Kerala

    Facebook
    A small platform for the birdwatchers of Kerala, here you can discuss about wild birds/feral/exotic birds, its identification, birding spots...
  • Cochin Natural History Society

    Website
    The Cochin Natural History Society is a non-profit making, non-political charitable institution registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955. This is a society of amateur naturalists who live in harmony with nature and seek to protect and to preserve the biodiversity and healthy natural environment. The mandate of the society is to undertake studies and documentation of biodiversity around us and to draw attention to the aesthetic, economic, scientific and conservation aspects.The society also intends to provide a platform to those who are concerned to come together and share, enlarge and correct our knowledge about Nature and its magnificence. Any person, who has a love, interest and commitment towards conservation of our biodiversity and natural history may become a member of the society.
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *List of protected areas of Kerala

    InformationSatellite View
    There are six national parks and fourteen wildlife sanctuaries.
  • BS Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    Kumarakom is a large backwater lagoon. While moving around the lagoon, you are likely to see White-breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Small Blue Kingfisher, Little Cormorant, White-breasted Waterhen, Black Bittern, Chestnut Bitten, Little Egret, Cattle Egret and Median Egrets. You may also see Great Cormorants, Open-billed Storks, Grey Herons, Yellow Bitterns, White Ibis, Cotton Teal, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Koras, Black-caped Kingfishers, Ruddy Crakes, Gull-billed Terns and Shikras.
  • BS Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary - Thattekad

    WebsiteSatellite View
    On the western side of the Indian subcontinent is the rainward side of the western ghats, a lush green part of the country watered by every passing cloud. Here lies the quiet but beautiful Kerala, haven for a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna. Thattekad, on the banks of the river Periyar, is a dense monsoon forest, not very far from the port town of Cochin. Salim Ali described it as the birder`s paradise. A plantation forest with teak, mahogany and fruit-bearing trees along with the natural wild tropical deciduous vegetation, it is home to nearly 350 species of birds, most notably the Malabar grey hornbill. Other exotic birds are the Ceylon frogmouth, Malabar trogon, White-bellied treepie and Heart-spotted woodpecker. Elephants also live here, happy with the easily accessible ponds on the side of the river. It is now protected as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
  • BS Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, one of the most important bird santuaries in South Idia, was established by Dr. Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist, in 1998. Thattekkad Sanctuary is situated in Kerala in the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District…
  • NP Eravikulam

    InformationSatellite View
    Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km2 national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki and Ernakulam districts of Kerala in India.
  • NP Pampadum Shola

    InformationSatellite View
    Pampadum Shola National Park is the smallest national park in Kerala state, South India…
  • NP Silent Valley

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Silent Valley was declared as National Park in 1984 and formally inaugurated in the year 1985. Initially there was only 89.52 sq.km. area under the Division which forms the core zone of the National Park. In 2007, an area of 148 sq.km. was added to this Division as buffer zone.
  • NP WS TR Periyar

    InformationSatellite View
    Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God’s Own Country, Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife. Though its a Tiger Reserve, tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of ablution and playfulness by the Periyar lake.
  • WII Thrissur Kole Wetlands

    InformationSatellite View
    The Kole Wetlands is one of largest, highly productive and threatened wetlands in Kerala and has been declared in Ramsar Convention for protection and it comes in Central Asian Flyway of migratory birds. According to studies, there are 241 species of birds like spot-billed pelican, darter, Oriental darter, black-headed ibis, painted stork, black-bellied tern, cinereous vulture and greater spotted eagle.
  • WS Wayanad

    InformationSatellite View
    Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, India. It has an extent of 344.44 km2 with four ranges namely Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat and Tholpetty. A variety of large wild animals such as Indian bison, elephant, deer and tiger are found there. There are also quite a few unusual birds in the sanctuary. In particular, peafowl tend to be very common in the area.
Sightings, News & Forums
  • eBird Kerala Rare Bird Alert

    Sightings
    The report below shows observations of rare birds in Kerala. Includes both unreviewed and reviewed/approved observations.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Asian Adventures

    Tour Operator
    Birding tours throughout the sub-continent...
  • BUBO Birding

    Tour Operator
    An evergreen lowland forest, Thattekad—including the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary—is located between the branches of the Periyar River in Kerala, making for a perfect birding mix of forest and wetland habitats
  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    This two-week tour will focus on the many specialties that southern India has to offer in a small-group atmosphere, perfect for the forested environments we will bird in. The tour commences on the coast at Kochi (also known as Cochin), a large sea-port city in the state of Kerala and an ancient city of high value on the old spice-trading route, and finishes at the city of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), the capital of the state of Karnataka.
  • Birding South India

    Tour Operator
    Kerala Endemic Birding Tours
  • Chalukya Grace Tours

    Tour Operator
    Arrive Kochi - the queen of Arabian Sea, meet our representative and transfer to hotel. Kochi is one of the finest natural harbours in the world, this was one of the major centre for commerce and trade with the British. On arrival check into the one of the hotel and over night stay Rain tree or similar...
  • Eldho Bird Tours

    Tour Operator
    Eldho Bird Tours arranges Birding Expeditons to Kerala and other bird-rich areas of South India- Tamilnadu & Karnataka. We want all of our clients to share in the excitement and fun of a top-notch birding adventure, and we want to provide the best service possible to both our tour participants and our independent travel clients…
  • Explore Kerala With Us

    Tour Operator
    The abundance of greenery makes Kerala an avian paradise. Over 500 species of birds-both resident and migratory- can be found in the lush green tropical forests, numerous freshwater and brackish lakes and waterlogged paddy fields of the state.
  • India Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    When it comes to birding in South India, you can’t choose a better location than Kerala. The coastal state is hailed as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India and is home to 516 species of birds.
  • Jungle Lore

    Tour Operator
    Top Endemic Species of Western Ghats – 6 Days Birdwatching Trip in Kerala
  • Kerala Geographic Adventures

    Tour Operator
    We offer birding and birds photography tour to various IBAs, birds sanctuaries, National parks , wetland and shores to explore and photograph birds of Western Ghats and South India. The packages are easy to customize on your target, time and budget. Please go through the following packages with basic details. Select your interested package and contact us for detailed tour plan and customization.
  • Malabar Hornbill Holidays

    Tour Operator
    Malabar Hornbill Holidays is a leading wildlife tourism promoter in Kerala. As we have well experienced guide, we see Kerala bird-watching in different angle to show uniqueness in thattekad bird-watching.
  • Naturalist Journeys

    Tour Operator
    ...Journey through Thattakad Bird Sanctuary in search of Indian Pitta, Malabar Trogon, Red Spurfowl, and Gray-headed Bulbul, along with Travancore and Indian Flying Squirrel and Slender Loris...
  • Nature & Wild Life Team

    Tour Operator
    We are passionate about birding, conservation and sharing India's natural history with others by organising outstanding, affordable and responsible wildlife experiences. Our tours are thoroughly researched, meticulously planned, and continually refined using our own inputs from the field, while the fact that we are a small company contributes to the affordability of the prices we pass on to our clients.
  • Rockjumper

    Tour Operator
    Hemming the rugged lands of southern India are the impressive Western Ghats Mountains, a land of endless valleys, rolling tea estates and breathtaking highland vistas, well-known for harbouring a superb range of highly localised endemic birds and a host of special mammals.
  • Tropic Trails

    Tour Operator
    Kerala Birding Tour
  • Viator

    Guide
    Thattekad Guided Bird Walk
Trip Reports
  • 2018 [12 December] - Aseem Kothiala - Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

    Report
    Typical for any birder, the first desire is getting a lifer and the second a decent image. After being to the region a couple of times earlier discovered that getting good images was surely a challenge. However, now can suggest that the easiest way to see and photograph the species in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary at least , is by visiting it with Eldhose K.V
  • 2022 [01 January] - Måns Grundsten

    PDF Report
    ...Before reaching Olive Brook two soaring raptors turned out to be a sought-after Legge's Hawk-Eagle and a Booted Eagle. We arrived before lunch and had a first short walk up to Deshadan Resort. Along the way Palani Laughingthrushes, Nilgiri Flycatchers and the adorable Black-and-orange Flycatcher. ..
  • 2023 [02 February] - Hans Christophersen

    PDF Report
    We were a group of seven people with the intention of visiting Kerala and the mountains of Western Ghats to watch birds in the region – not least to find some of the special birds as for instance the (approximately) 25 endemic species that inhabit this specific area.
  • 2024 [02 February] - Bent Otto Poulsen - Kerala & Western Tamil Nadu

    PDF Report
    Top: Eravikulam NP – Shola forest fragment determined by edaphic conditions; Second row left: Malabar Grey Hornbill; right: Oriental Scops Owl; Above left: Black-rumped Flameback; Above right: Malabar Whistling Thrush.
  • 2024 [02 February] - Ravi Kailas

    PDF Report
    Kabini (Nagarhole Tiger Reserve); Bandipur Tiger Reserve; Valparai (Anamalai Tiger Reserve); Thekkady (Periyar Tiger Reserve)
Places to Stay
  • Blue Wings Homestay - Thattekkad

    Accommodation
    Blue wings, amidst a forest plantation on the bank of BhoothathanKettu reservoir in Periyar river, embracing Dr. Salim Ali Birds sanctuary has a few acres of land vitalized by tropical medicinal and fruit plants. The flora consists of around 150 larval host and nector plants for butterflies. The plantation forest around, inhabitates wild boars, sambars, deers, Languirs, porcupines etc. and none of the ferocious ones, provides a safe and peaceful stay with lot of recreational facilities such as mud house stay, fishing, country and pedestal boats events in shallow waters, cycling inside and outside the premises, machine assisted tree climbing, shuttle court, swimming, cooking classes, agricultural works, pets caring etc. provision for Ayurvedic treatments also will be arranged on prior demand.
  • Kerala Tourism Development Corporation

    Accommodation
    Sprawling mansions set in lovely locales-exotic islands, luxuriant game reserves…on hill sides, by beaches, backwaters. That this description fits most of our hotels is not the only thing that makes one an ideal pick for a tourist. The largest hotel chain in Kerala has much much more to offer.
  • Olive Brook Resort - Munnar

    Accommodation
    Olive Brook, a unique, rustic Elettaria Cardamom Plantation Theme Resort, is one of the most desirable places to stay for tourists in Munnar. Embodying the veritable essence of the acclaimed traditional Kerala hospitality, Olive Brook pays meticulous attention to the minutest details to ensure your stay is a perfectly indelible one… Fatbirder Recommended
  • Our Land Resort

    Accommodation
    OurLand is an island resort situated on the backwaters of Kerala just 14 kilometres south of Alappuzha in Kuttanad area known as the 'rice bowl of Kerala' due to its wealth of paddy crops.,,
  • Periyar House

    Accommodation
    A perfect base to get close to the wild - Located on the banks of the Periyar Lake, Periyar House is a budget jungle lodge, which offers a vantage point for visitors to get close to the wildlife in Thekkady. It is inside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. For a budget traveller who wish to stay in a wildlife sanctuary this is the best option here.
  • Periyar River Lodge

    Accommodation
    The Periyar River Lodge adjoins the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala, which currently attracts lot of ardent birders. We also have an accomplished bird guide who takes the guests for birding trips from the Lodge…
  • Royal Retreat

    Accommodation
    Quiet, restful. A cozy little place, tucked away in the hills of Munnar. A hideout, if you like, from everyday life. For restful weeks or relaxed weekends
  • Soma Birds Lagoon Resort

    Accommodation
    Soma Birds Lagoon Resort presents you a perfect harmony of Ayurveda, Yoga and Nature. Doing Yoga in the serene environs under expert guidance by the backwaters helps elevate the mind to a different realm
  • Tharavadu Heritage Home

    Facebook Page
    Ours is a 120 year old Christian Banglow at Kumarakom, the backwater tourist village in Kerala in India. Ours is an Eco Friendly property located by the side of a River and close to the lake. We provide homely stay, boat cruise, ayurveda body massaging etc. etc. for Tourists
Other Links
  • Birds in Thattekkadu

    Website
    Not updated since 2012! Thattekkadu is located in Cochin district at Kerala and is the one of the best Birdwatching hot spots in Kerala…
Blogs
  • Amitava Nath - Birds of India

    BLOG
    Welcome to my Birds of India blog. For centuries, birds have held a fascination for human world and have been a subject of study. Winged wonder inspire great awe, especially for their ability to fly, their ability to build extraordinarily intricate nests and not least, the brilliant colours of their plumage-features that no human being can replicate. India is the home of more than 1250 species of birds. Peacock is our National bird and every state has its own State bird. One may call India a paradise for birding.
  • Birds of Kerala

    BLOG
    This blog is dedicated to all the photography enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. This is an archive for the birds of Kerala. Most of the photos are only at a quality of reference. I am trying my best to capture the beauty of the birds. At the end I like to publish the contents to a book…
Photographers & Artists
  • Photographer - Sudeesh Thattekkadu

    Facebook Page
    Photographer and bird guide

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Skip to content