In the Amazon, birds and mammals enjoy The Clay licks

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All You Need to Know About the Clay Lick in the Amazon

Embark on a journey into the heart of one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena—the Clay Lick. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about these captivating sites, from their purpose and locations to the diverse species that grace their presence.

What are Macaw Clay Licks or collpa?

Macaw clay licks, also known as «collpas.”

The word Collpa is a Castilianized noun, which derives from the Quechua word “Qolpa” and means salty land. Collpa, then, is the place where animals gather to consume clay, the same one that contains mineral salts; This noun has also been verbalized calling it “Collpear”, being the action of consuming clay.

The clay licks are specialized areas where animals such as birds or mammals gather to consume mineral-rich clay.

The origin of the clay licks has different hypotheses

For the northeastern Amazon, it is much clearer since there is scientific evidence that there was an oceanic transgression in that region where even marine fossils have been found (Lake Pebas).

For the southeast side however, there is a hypothesis that during strong waves the seawater passed from the southern part of Paraguay to the southern part of Bolivia, and the salt water entered the freshwater river systems that in the end They reached the southeast of the Peruvian Amazon

It is in this area where the amount of sodium you find in the vegetation is very low and what you find in the clay lick is 40 times greater.

How did we find these clay licks?

Thanks to researcher Alan Lee, the clay licks were mapped to see the distribution and concentration.

Why do macaws eat clay?

Macaws use the collpa more frequently between November through March and less frequently between May to September looking for sodium supplements for their developmental system

An individual can visit the clay lick 3 times a week, in the peak season when they have a greater amount of fruits in the forest which also matches the breeding season when they consume and then give to its chicks through regurgitation.

The sodium and other minerals in the clay lick are important for the muscular, nervous development, and intelligence of baby macaws in the first days of life.

Where are the clay licks located?

In Bolivia, the western part of Brazil, the southern part of Colombia, and the southern part of Ecuador.

Madre De Dios in Peru, however, has the largest number of clay licks recorded in South America.

Tambopata National Reserve in Madre de Dios, Peru, is renowned for hosting some of the most spectacular clay licks in the Amazon. These sites are strategically located within the reserve, providing a unique opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts.

Clay lick in the Amazon Tambopata River

Strategically location of our ecolodges in the Tambopata River with access to the clay licks

How Many Clay Licks Are There?

While specific numbers may vary, Tambopata is home to several significant clay licks, each offering a distinct experience. The exact count depends on the specific area within the reserve, and guided tours can take you to multiple sites for a comprehensive exploration.

Note the area does not only have macaws clay lick but also parrots and mammal clay licks inside the forest.

Where Can You See Most of the Clay Licks?

The Tambopata River basin within the Tambopata National Reserve is a hotspot for macaw clay licks. Notable sites include Collpa Hermosa ( Next to Posada Amazonas) 8 Gallinas, Chuncho, Colorado ( all the 3 last ones are inside the Tambopata National Reserve), and others, each offering a different setting and attracting diverse species of macaws.

Macaw Clay Lick by Juan Carlos Yatto 3

Macaws in the clay lick by Juan Carlos Yatto in Tambopata

Did you know Tambopata Research Center inside the Tambopata National Reserve was recognized as one of the best places to see wildlife by the BBC Production of Planet Earth III. Learn more here

What Wildlife Species Can You Find?

The clay licks attract a variety of macaw species. While clay licks in the river usually offer macaws ample space to enjoy. Depending on where the clay lick is located you will find different species.

For example, many years ago the Colocado claylick, used to get the visit of the Blue-headed macaw, very difficult to see. According to researcher Claudia Torres-Sovero, a bird specialist, and her scientific article from Alto Madre de Dios, these macaws can be seen most frequently in hill forests.

Collpa Hermosa usually gets the visit of Red and Green Macaws and parrots

Chuncho and 8 Gallinas get the visit the Scarlet Macaw, the Blue and Yellow Macaw, beside the small macaws parrots, and parrakets.

There is a long list but we have made a Birds Check List if you are a professional or amateur birdwatcher

Note the latest claylick, means that it is much easier for predators to find their prey. Jaguars and ocelots have been recorded attacking macaws in a clay lick.

There are also records of other mammals such as grey brocket deer, while-lipped peccaries, and monkeys such as the howler monkey and spider monkeys.

MAMMAL CLAY LICK IN TAMBOPATA

Like other mammals, Collared peccary can visit the clay lick in the Amazon

When is the Best Season for Macaw Watching at the clay lick?

Even though there is are greater volume of macaws during the rainy season as the macaws need the ingestion of the clay to feed the first days of life of the chicks that helps their nervous and muscular system, is the dry season (May to September) considered the optimal time for macaw watching due to the weather conditions. During this period, the reduced rainfall makes the clay more accessible for the birds.

How Far is the Distance for Observation?

The distance for observation varies depending on the specific clay lick, the tour you choose, and the season. Guided tours often provide strategic viewing platforms, ensuring a safe and respectful distance while still offering an excellent vantage point.

Let’s talk about the famous clay lick in the Tambopata River:

1. Hermosa Clay lick: A parrot clay lick where red and green macaws eventually come down. It is located next to Posada Amazonas. 45 minutes by boat from Puerto Infierno.

2. 8 Gallinas Clay lick: This is the new observation point, currently active and accessible from the shore of the island in front of the clay lick itself. This is 40 minutes from the checkpoint I mentioned above or 60 minutes from Filadelfia river port.

It’s reached by river. The observation point is on an island in front of the clay lick.

That means you go down on the island, you walk on the shore, and you have in front of you the Tambopata River where the boats cross, and then the clay wall

The clay lick is in a wide curve of the river, due to this the longest distance between the observation point and the lick

There are no blinds here, it is only from the shore of the island where you can see

3. Chuncho Clay lick: This is located 60 minutes after the last checkpoint called Malonivski of the Tambopata National Reserve or 1 hour and 20 minutes from Filadelfia. It has a blind constructed by the State. The bling is located approximately 80 meters from the clay lick.

You reach an island by the river that is right in front of the clay lick, then you go down and walk approximately 20 meters to the blind.

The blind is a small closed house for about 20 people, it has a horizontal «window» along the entire length of the blind. It is a wooden construction, elevated above the ground since it is an island and tends to flood during the rainy season.

This is a video of SERNANP when they created the blind at Chuncho Claylick, you can see the park ranger inside the blind, and see the detail of the «window» I mentioned before.

When the blind was built the macaws were swinging right in front of the blind, however, the plants have grown dividing the clay lick and the birds could swing to the right or left which would make the distance much longer. Paul Bertner’s photos were taken in January 2021. And the blind is the limit allowed by the state to get close to take photos.

How can you visit the Clay Lick?

Collpa Hermosa is just next to Posada Amazonas, so you will get the best sightings by staying there.

For Chuncho Clay Lick or 8 Gallinas, we will recommend Refugio Amazonas Lodge, as it is just in the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. Note Refugio Amazonas has a mammal clay lick.

If you are a parrot lover then you want to visit Chuncho, 8 Gallinas, and Colorado Claylick, and if so, Tambopata Research Center is the place for you. As this ecolodge is the remotest in the Tambopata River, you will have access to 3 clay licks, besides that the place is a paradise for macaws as you will find natural and artificial nests around the lodge due to the ongoing Tambopata Macaw Project.

What Other Animals Visit Clay Lick?

Beyond macaws and parrots, macaw clay licks attract a diverse array of wildlife. Capybaras, tapirs, and various other mammals like monkeys often visit these sites to supplement their diets with the nutrient-rich clay.

The Macaw Clay Licks of Tambopata National Reserve are not just a spectacle; they’re a testament to the intricate web of life within the Amazon. Armed with this comprehensive guide, you’re ready to embark on an adventure that goes beyond birdwatching, offering a profound understanding of the delicate balance that sustains this unique ecosystem. Prepare to be enchanted by the vibrant colors and fascinating behaviors of the macaws in their natural habitat.

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Such a wonderful experience deep in a part of the Amazon, Tambopata NP. They really involve you with what is happening at the research centre with evening lectures. The meals are outstanding and the rooms are comfortable and I had the best sleep. Dino our guide was outstanding. The river trip to see the Macaw claylicks was a beautiful outing. We saw Capybaras along the river and it was very scenic. The staff are friendly and very engaging. As a tour operator who sends clients to AFRICA for safari, I was hugely satisfied. Thank you, gracious. Food & drinks: Good was simply delicious Read all

An amazing experience in the Peruvian jungle. the information about the centre was very accurate so I knew what to expect but was blown away by the experience and competence of my guide for the four nights, Juan Carlos Yatto. JC was looking for birds for me from the moment he collected me at the airport, so we saw birds on the drive and on the boat ride as well as on the excursions themselves. I was in Peru three weeks and JC was my best guide by far. Don't miss the clay licks for sure, and the tower is also well worth the climb. Food and people are wonderful and the research very interesting. Read all

Das Tambopata Research Center ist eine wunderbare Lodge im Nationalpark Tambopata. Die charmanten, miteinander verbundenen Aufenthaltsräume und Zimmer befinden sich auf hölzernen Stelzen. Bei den offenen Gemeinschaftsräumen gibt es gemütliche Sitzecken, eine wunderbare Hängemattenrelaxzone und einen herrlichen Restaurantbereich, wo zu jeder Zeit Tee, Kaffee und Wasser zur Verfügung stehen. Die stilvollen Zimmer verfügen über bequeme Betten mit Moskitonetz und moderne, saubere Duschbereiche. Die Research Center Lodge mit den Forschungseinrichtungen liegt inmitten des Regenwaldes umgeben von der reinen Natur mit der fantastischen Flora und Fauna, welche dort auch weiterhin erforscht und geschützt wird. Jeden Abend gibt es dazu sehr interessante Vorträge. Die Mitarbeiter sind sehr freundlich, offen und zuvorkommend. Die Buffets waren sehr köstlich und reichhaltig mit Gerichten aus der Region. Es wird großer Wert auf ökologische und nachhaltig umweltschonende Bewirtschaftung gelegt. Von der Lodge aus ist es möglich, mit ausgebildeten Guides in Gruppen von maximal 6 Personen verschiedene Exkursionen zu machen. Speziell Timo war ausgesprochen freundlich, auf unsere Sicherheit bedacht, ging auf die individuellen Interessen der einzelnen Personen ein und vermittelte uns in seiner kompetenten Art umfangreiches Wissen über die Pflanzen- und Tierwelt. Er hatte dabei die wunderbare Fähigkeit, versteckte Wildtiere zu entdecken, und verschaffte uns wunderschöne Momente, auch durch das mitgetragene Teleskop, wodurch wir der Tierwelt näher sein konnten. So sahen wir u.a. Brüllaffen, Kapuzineraffen und Spideraffen mit ihren Kindern, viele Vögel insbesondere Papageien wie z.B. Scharlach- und Gelbbauch-Aras sowie Wasserschweine und verschiedene Insekten. Wir können diese wunderbare Lodge absolut weiterempfehlen. Die herrliche Tier- und Pflanzenwelt in dem wunderbar erhaltenen und geschützten Regenwald des Amazonas war auf unserer Peru-Reise ein wirklich fantastisches Erlebnis! Read all

Rainforest Expeditions is a wonderful company and the Posadas Amazonas lodge is a beautiful location to spend your time in the Amazon. The staff are all incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. The tours were very fun and we saw lots of animals including River otters, monkeys, birds, and capybaras. We loved our guide Luis and all the people we met. The food was delicious and locally grown and there was never a dull moment. Would highly recommend! Read all

I went to Posada as part of a wider group trip, so did not pay for it directly. The lodge feels very far from anywhere and yet it feels incredibly safe. The rooms are open to nature, but nothing was ever damaged (use the safe boxes as advised, especially for food - not that you'll need any - the catering is excellent, with plenty of vegetarian options, and snacks are also provided between meals). There are flushing toilets, incredible shower facilities and the beds are very comfortable with mosquito nets placed at night by the staff. Drinking water vats are strategicvally placed throughout the lodge but you may have a long-ish walk to the common areas through corridors. Some parts of the corridors are open to the elements, but umbrellas are provided everywhere in case of rain. There is obviously no air conditioning, but this helps you acclimatise. The lodge is run by a family and others from the Infierno community, which gives the place a homely feel, with resident tour guides and a local geologist for citizen science projects. Massage services are available and there is a local shop for souvenirs and essentials like bug spray, clothing and torches. Tons of activities can be arranged, but it's also nice to relax in the hammocks and common areas and listen to the sounds of nature. While this hotel is not going to be for everyone, I had the most incredible time! Read all

The place to go if you want to see Macaws in the Peruvian rainforest. We stayed at the Tambopata Reaearch Centre (TRC) for three days and had Juan Carlos Yatto as our guide for the duration of our stay. We loved the mission of the TRC ie Macaw conservation and the link between Macaw nest site availability and the overall health of the rainforest. Juan Carlos Yatto (there is another JC at the research centre) was a fantastic guide and really made a difference to our experience at the TRC. His knowledge of the different species of wildlife and plants was amazing, his ability to spot things in the day or at night was phenomenal and he really made things accessible for our group. His English is excellent (including great humour when appropriate) and is a super guy. I really do recommend the TRC abd Juan Carlos Yatto as a guide. We saw an abundance of wildlife of all descriptions thanks to him and learned a huge amount without being overloaded. Read all

Two planes, a bus and a boat…that’s how we made it to TRC, and every minute was worth it. Tambopata is a jewel, from the moment you are greeted by the guide assigned to you (Juan Carlos Gonzales for us) to the last boat ride back to civilization. Juan Carlos was amazing…on just one hike he found five of the seven species of monkeys in the area! He is truly an expert..can hear, see and even SMELL animals, birds and insects to point out to us. We upgraded to a deluxe suite and it was decadent! An elegant outdoor tub and shower on a private balcony was soo nice’ Although we went in the rainy season, it never rained while on a hike or excursion. It rained for a few minutes on our late afternoon cruise , but not enough to dampen our enthusiasm, or prevent us from seeing a capybara in the mid! (And despite the warning of a lot of mosquitoes, I have been bitten more in my own back yard!) The bar is great, there’s PLENTY of food…we are going home feeling so lucky to have had such a great connection to the beauty of the Amazon. Read all

We had a fantastic time for our 3N/4D stay at Tambopata Research Center. The whole experience was marvellous. Rooms and facilities were great and meals superb. The Staff, ably led by Tanya the manager, were all friendly and helpful. This is the only lodge actually inside the Tambopata National Park, and we enjoyed being so "remote". I like that you have one guide who coordinates and takes you on all your activities; Jair our guide was amazing. One morning our planned activity was rained out, and I liked that they have alternative "wet weather" activities planned. There are lectures each night by researchers, which were very interesting. Also citizen science projects that you can participate in. All up, it was a fantastic way to experience the Peruvian Amazon. Read all

Posada Amazonas by Rainforest Expeditions is an extraordinary place. From your arrival at the airport in Puerto Maldonado all the staff is always attentive to your needs. You travel by boat to the hotel Posada Amazonas and it is a unique experience. It really is a total disconnection and a recollection with Mother Nature 🌎 The buffet lunch is delicious (already included in the price). You have a guide who speaks Spanish and English at all times and accompanies you to explore the jungle, the river and other activities. The price is worth it. Outside my room I caught a glimpse of monkeys :) The night sky is starry and very spectacular ✨️ 5 star service. I will definitely come back. Read all

I stayed with my parents at Refugio Amazonas for 3 days. We really enjoyed our stay and had a wonderful time here. The staff were extremely kind and well informed. The lodge manager- Arturo in particular was very helpful. To highlight their culture: They prepared special vegetarian meals for my parents, always ensured we felt comfortable and all our needs were met. A stay here is a must do to get a real feel of the Amazon rainforest on your trip to Peru! Noteworthy details: There are a lot of activities for kids and families to do, but my personal favourites are: Macaw Claylick, OxBow river ride, sunset cruise and the canopy tower. Read all

An incredible and unparalleled experience I felt fortunate Read all

I can't express how amazing our guides were. Incredibly knowledgeable and able to spot birds, frogs, spiders, animals, etc. with an almost unbelievable ability. The research and contributions to the jungle they are making at the Center are to be commended. The facilities were nice and kept clean and the staff was great, but between the walls in the rooms being open to the jungle, the heat, the bugs, underpowered fans, having to completely cover up for hikes due to bugs and then getting overheated, etc. it made for a tough stay. The food was good but after a couple days became repetitive. I would recommend this for serious birders who are willing to endure a bit for an incredible adventure. Read all

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