Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, also known as the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is one of the richest bird habitats in peninsular India, comparable only with the Eastern Himalayas. A trip through this sanctuary would certainly be a bonanza for any birder, with over 300 species found in a relatively small area of 25 sq kms. Some of the rarely seen species at Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary are Mottled Wood Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka bay Owl, White - bellied woodpecker, Malabar Trogon, Black Baza. One can find a larger number of Endemic species seen in Western Ghats here. Malabar Grey Hornbill, White- bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Barbet, Malabar Parakeet, Flame-Throated Bulbul, Malabar Woodshrike, Crimson backed Sunbird, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon, Grey-headed Bulbul are some of them.
