Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

As you sit, subtly hidden on a small river island, the Amazonian sun begins to light up the clay cliff. Suddenly, shrieks and caws fill the air as the jungle’s most charismatic birds swoop down to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, or Collpa, as it’s known here. Soon, dozens of tiny parakeets, colorful parrots, and brilliant macaws perch and preen on the cliffs. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen — or heard.

For one of the best tropical bird experiences in the Amazon, you need to visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. Due to nutrients, most likely salt, found in the cliff soil, the Clay Lick attracts dozens of species of birds. From huge Red and Green Macaws to Mealy Parrots, the birds flock here to munch on nutrient-rich clay. The macaws are the largest — and loudest — of the bunch, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who sees them.

The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the most stunning wildlife spectacles in the world, making it a must-see for travelers and families who love nature. The humid jungle air fills with the macaw’s screeches as they settle into trees above the bluffs, swooping down to feed on the clay. You couldn’t ask for a more fulfilling, unique experience in the Amazon Rainforest, and the activity is a highlight for all our Rainforest Expeditions guests.