Vellode Birds Sanctuary, Protected area in Erode district, India

Vellode Birds Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India, built around Periyakulam lake, which is bordered by bushes. It covers 0.77 km² near Vellode, about 12 km from Erode, and has been a protected Ramsar site since 2022. More than 20,000 birds visit during the migration period from November to March.

Vellode Birds Sanctuary is built around Periyakulam lake, which long served as a stop for migrating birds before the site received formal protection. It was designated a protected Ramsar site in 2022, and the wetland covers 77.85 hectares near Vellode in Erode district.

The sanctuary is about 13 km from Erode city and can be reached by road, though vehicles are not allowed inside the grounds. Early morning and late afternoon are the best windows for spotting the most birds.

The Tamil article records 109 bird species arriving from abroad, with pelicans notably coming in large numbers from Australia and Austria. Birds that arrive stay about four months, nesting and raising chicks before leaving with them. The lake is Periyakulam, ringed by bushes.