The Thekkady bird sanctuary is a peninsular land, 25 sq km in area, formed between the branches of the river Periyar. The rivers are rich in fish life and are shallow for most of the year. The avi-fauna includes both resting indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable of the birds are the Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller, etc. are also seen.