The Thattekad Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary attracts nature lovers especially bird watchers in droves. Thattekad was developed by the untiring efforts of India's birdman Dr Salim Ali.

The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala.