Famous Birds Sanctuaries in Kerala: Enjoy Nature Like Never Before!

Kerala sports unique geographical features that have made this place a very sought after tourism destination. Being a green belt tourist destination, the place has some wildlife sanctuaries, two national parks and three major bird sanctuaries. If you are a bird lover then Kerala is the paradise to watch some exotic birds in this state.

Kerala has the perfect climate and atmosphere that harbors birds and provide the favorable environment to them. The deciduous teak forests, marshes, bamboo plantations, and grasses make the best homes for the arboreal population. The forest also homes some wonderful migratory birds during seasons. On a travel vacation to Kerala don't miss the three famous bird sanctuaries - Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary: This bird sanctuary is also called the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary after the famous ornithologists of India. The sanctuary is located in Kothamangalam Taluk, in the district of Ernakulam. The district is just north to the Periyar National Park. Salim Ali described the place as the richest bird habitat only after eastern Himalayas. The sanctuary boasts of some rarest migratory bird species like the rose-billed roller and Ceylon frogmouth.

The other important birds that you can watch in the Thattekkad bird sanctuary are - Bee-eater, Crimson-Throated Barbet, Fairy blue bird, Sunbird, Grey-headed fishing eagle, Black winged Kite, Shrike, the Night Heron and Grey Heron. The other common birds that are watch worthy in their natural best are cuckoo, Indian roller, crow pheasant, kite, woodpecker, nightjar, hill myna, jungle barber, robin bird, large pied wagtail and others.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: This bird sanctuary is located just 12 kilometers from Kottayam and borders the Vembanad Lake. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 14 acres of land and it homes some famous migratory birds like egrets, darters, herons, waterfowls, teals and others. Even Siberian storks also migrate to this bird sanctuary quite frequently. The best way to witness this bird sanctuary is to take a cruise along the Vembanad Lake. There is a captivating island in the middle of the lake called Pathiramanal which also homes some wonderful birds. You can access the island by boat.

The resident birds of this sanctuary are waterfowls, owls, herons, water duck and other species. The migratory folk include darters, peafowl, egrets, larks, flycatchers, wood beetles and others.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: This bird sanctuary is 17 kilometers from Kozhikode and 7 kilometers from Beypore port. It is situated in the Malappuram district of Kerala. This bird sanctuary spreads over small islands thus providing a scenic beauty to the place. It is also surrounded by hillocks and the Kadalundi River flowing in between homes different types of birds. A paradise of ornithologists and bird lovers!

The sanctuary abode hundreds of species of resident birds and more than sixty varieties of migratory birds. The migratory birds folk here during February and March. The best way to enjoy this bird sanctuary is to go to 200m hillocks and watch the splendid sanctuary spread around it.