സ്വാഗതംWelcome to Thattekkad
The forest wakes at half past five.
Jungle Bird is a family homestay at the edge of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, founded by Sudhamma, Thattekkad’s first licensed woman forest guide. Scroll through one day here, from the mist on the Periyar to the owls after dinner.
Thattekkad runs on India Standard Time.
05:45 · Periyar riverbank
A short walk to the edge of the water.
The air is cool and the mist lies on the Periyar like a sheet. At the sanctuary gate there is only the dip of a fisherman’s oars somewhere out on the river.
This is the blue hour, the few minutes between night and day, and it is why birders set their alarms.
Periyar Riverblue hour
06:10 · First call
The drongo speaks first, in everyone else’s voice.
The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo usually opens the morning, borrowing other birds’ calls. Within minutes the koels and the Malabar Whistling Thrush have joined in, and the canopy is full.
Calls are synthesised impressions. Sudhamma does them better.
Photographed at ThattekkadDrongo
06:50 · Shafts of gold
Light breaks through the teak, and so do the hornbills.
Sunlight comes through the teak and mahogany in shafts. In those pockets of light you look for a Malabar Grey Hornbill gliding across, or a Malabar Trogon sitting very still in the mid-storey.
07:30 · Who’s walking with you
She knows every call on the trail.
Sudha Chandran, Sudhamma to everyone here, used to run a small tea stall near the sanctuary. She learned her birds under Dr R. Sugathan, a student of Dr Sálim Ali, became Thattekkad’s first licensed woman forest guide, and opened Jungle Bird for birdwatchers.
Today she knows the breeding seasons, migrations and calls of almost every bird in Thattekkad, and still spends long days on the trails with guests.
“This is my temple; my duty is my prayer.”Sudha Chandran · Sanctuary Nature Foundation
- Firstlicensed woman forest guide at Thattekkad
- 2023Wildlife Service Award, Sanctuary Nature Foundation
- Dr R. Sugathanher teacher, a student of Dr Sálim Ali
- 8–12 hoursa day on the trails with visitors
08:00 · Back at the homestay
Puttu, kadala curry, and a list of sightings.
By eight the humidity is rising and everyone walks back hungry. Breakfast is home-cooked Kerala food, eaten in the garden while the morning’s list is compared.
The garden tableafter the walk
This morning’s photographs.
Drag or swipe the roll →
11:00 · The forest rests, so can you
Three rooms, three ways to be in the trees.
Every room has an en-suite bathroom with hot water, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and Wi-Fi, if you want it.
Top floorThe Sanctuary Suite
The highest room on the property, with a 180° view over the sanctuary and a private balcony.
See the suite →
Mid-canopyThe Forest View Room
Eye level with the middle of the canopy, naturally cool, and tucked away from the common areas.
See the room →
Sleeps 3–4The Family Nest
Room for a family or a small birding group, with a lounge for planning tomorrow’s route.
See the nest →16:30 · The garden
The afternoon comes to the verandah.
You don’t need to go far after lunch. Barbets call from the dead trunks, treepies work the fruiting trees and, if you’re patient, an Indian Pitta turns up on the damp ground.
18:30 · Dusk
The day birds go quiet. The nightjars start.
As the light goes, the Jungle Owlet runs through its call and the nightjars begin hunting over the clearings. Three kinds of nightjar are on the Thattekkad list.
Hidden in plain sightNightjar
20:30 · Owl light
Nine owls on the list. And the frogmouth.
Thattekkad is one of the best places in India for night birds. The Sri Lanka Frogmouth is the one many guests come for, and it is almost impossible to find without someone who knows the roosts.
Find the owl’s eyes
Sweep the torch over the photograph and tap the bird when you find it.
Move your pointer or finger to aim the torchfind the bird
21:00 · Stories on the verandah
What guests say
The proximity to the sanctuary is unbeatable. We spotted so many rare birds just from our balcony. The guide was knowledgeable and the entire experience was a dream for nature lovers.
We were welcomed with such warmth and genuine kindness. The authentic home-cooked meals were the absolute highlight of our Kerala trip.
A truly serene escape tucked away in the forest. Waking up to the sounds of nature was incredibly refreshing.
The perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. The location is stunning and the service is impeccable.
Every detail here is designed for tranquility and comfort. It deeply reconnected us with the beauty of nature.
- Call or WhatsApp
- +91 98470 34520
- Write
- junglebirdhomestay@yahoo.com
- Find us
- Thattekkad, Ernakulam district, Kerala 686681