Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is one of the most famed bird sanctuaries of the country located in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. It lies at a distance of about 50 kilometres from Chennai. It is enlisted amongst the largest habitats of pelicans in Southeast Asia. Apart from these, it also shelters a number of native and migratory birds and serves as a breeding ground for numerous rare and endangered species of birds. Spanning over an area of 404 square kilometres, the sanctuary derives its name from Nelapattu village situated nearby. In addition to these, a number of animals are also the inhabitants of the reserve forest of the sanctuary. Reptiles like Snakes, Tortoises and Monitor Lizard and mammals like Slender Loris and Jackals are commonly found here.

Birds of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
Some of the common birds found in Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary are Spoon Bill, Little Cormorant, Painted Stork, Open Billed Stork, Night Heron, White Ibis, Spotted Belied Pelican and others. Other birds that can be also spotted in the sanctuary include Waders, Night Heron, Coot, Open Billed Stork, Flamingos, Pelicans, Babblers and many more. The birds of Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary usually nest and perch in the foreshore areas which creates a mesmerizing scene for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. During winter season around 2000 migratory birds belonging to 160 species arrive in the sanctuary. Among these, Pelicans form a major group.

Tourism in Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
Besides cherishing the natural beauty and vibrant wildlife tourists can also enjoy many other activities in the sanctuary. It has a museum, an environmental education centre and a library offering a sea of information about ecology, flora and fauna. Knowledge about diverse species of animals and birds can be obtained from the library. The sanctuary also houses a well equipped auditorium with audio-visual systems for discussions and seminars. Another highlight of the sanctuary is a deer park which shelters about 20 deer. Vehicles are provided by the park authorities for enjoying a deer safari and exploring the most strategic points of the forest, in addition to spotting the deer and other animals.

Flamingo Festival in Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
Flamingo festival is celebrated annually in the sanctuary for three days in the second week of January. The festival invites a plethora of tourists from various parts of the country. Various competitions, rural sports and cultural programs are also conducted during the festival.

Visiting Information
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is best visited between the months of October and March for having a blissful experience of watching the vivacious wildlife in their natural habitat in a pleasant weather. Two guest houses are also there in the sanctuary, run by the state government, which provide comfortable accommodation facilities. Chennai is the nearest airport while Sulurpet is the nearest railway station to reach the sanctuary. It can also be reached through roadways as it is about 50 kilometres from Chennai.