In the Amazon, birds and mammals enjoy The Clay licks

Stories

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.

CHECK AVAILABILITY AT RAINFOREST EXPEDITIONS LODGES

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Paul H August 2026

FineSpitz August 2026

Jack Looney August 2026

Ching Han Toh August 2026

Maggie Kwok August 2026

Jim July 2026

Kai Liao July 2026

asbraziller July 2026

Tom K July 2026

Maria Carrero June 2026

Lauren Kuenstner June 2026

Adam C June 2026

We had an excellent 5 night stay at TRC with two couples. The remote Lodge and accommodation are unique especially with the open walls to the jungle in the rooms. The guides were first rate with superb knowledge and their ability to spot fauna in the dense jungle was incredible. We saw many species of monkeys; macaws, parrots, tapirs, etc.. even lucky enough to spot a jaguar. Food and service was really good. While not cheap it was I think very good value for money. We really enjoyed all the hikes and citizen science activities as well, he trips on the river and the clay licks. Overall amazing experience! As it’s the jungle not a zoo, you can’t guarantee that you’ll see everything all the time so allow enough days to properly explore. Read all

A once-in-a-lifetime experience in the middle of the rainforest. From airport pickup in Puerto Maldonado to the lodge and back, everything was exceptionally well organised. Communication was clear throughout, with the team always explaining what would happen, where to be and what to take care of. The staff at both HQ and the lodge were incredibly attentive, making the entire stay feel completely carefree. At this price point, this is the level of service you expect, but it is still impressive to experience it in such a remote setting. The food was another highlight: very well curated and balanced, with plenty of options at every buffet and, surprisingly, we never had the same dish twice. Read all

This was an excellent experience!! Highly recommend if you’re interested in visiting the Amazon Rainforest and Tambopata region. Especially happy with our guide Miguel, who was highly professional, informative, and organized. It was an immersive adventure and we got to see so many unique plants and animals. 10/10! Read all

Amazing experience at Refugio Amazonas. Rooms were comfortable and clean. Great buffet spread every day. Staff were friendly and attentive. Our guide Alan was very informative. Overall would definitely recommend a visit! Read all

We stayed 3 nights at Posada Amazonas during our summer trip to Peru, and it was definitely one of the biggest highlights of the whole journey. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming. Our guide, Joss, was professional, friendly and amazingly knowledgeable. Sometimes it honestly felt like he could communicate with the animals — he could spot black caimans or giant river otters from hundreds of metres away! The excursions were unforgettable. We saw beautiful macaws, giant river otters, capybaras, sloths, tarantulas, an anaconda, different species of monkeys, toucans and so much more. I especially loved the rainforest walks and joined both the daytime and night walks. Every walk felt completely different, and you never knew what you might find. What also made the stay special was the lodge’s involvement in scientific and environmental projects. There was a talk every evening, and we learned a lot about the rainforest and its wildlife. We also joined the “Discover New Species” activity and helped search for possible new species of tiger moths — such a fun and memorable experience. The lodge itself is definitely rustic luxury rather than a city-style 5-star hotel. There is no air conditioning or hair dryer, but the hot shower, fan and hammock in the room were all very comfortable and suited the rainforest setting perfectly. And surprisingly, the internet connection was excellent — even the boats had Starlink! One of the things I appreciated most is that Posada Amazonas is a collaboration between Rainforest Expeditions and the local Indigenous community that owns the land. Many community members are directly involved in running the lodge, and you can really feel how much the staff care about and are connected to this rainforest, which is part of their ancestral home. If you are looking for an authentic, educational and truly memorable Amazon rainforest experience, I highly recommend Posada Amazonas. We absolutely loved our stay. Read all

The Tambopata Research Center (TRC) offers a well-organized immersive rainforest experience within the Tambopata National Reserve. The TRC and its accommodations put a spin on the term creature comforts by keeping guests comfortable while they commune among the creatures within the rainforest. I appreciated, through what I observed and the interactions I had, the attentiveness of the TRC team members. They knew their guests and seamlessly organized a lot for our benefit. The center assigns guests to a small group with a dedicated guide. In my case, Erick Arguedas was a superb ambassador for all things living in the rainforest, in part because it was the environment in which he grew up. His role was to ensure we got the most out of our visit. Being a long-term TRC guide gave him the expertise he needed to easily fulfill this role. Read all

Our stay at Refugio Amazonas was a great experience from beginning to end. The entire trip was very well organized, and having a tour guide with you throughout the experience made everything easy and enjoyable. Our guides, Dennis and Tuto, were excellent. They both spoke English very well and did a fantastic job explaining the different birds, trees, plants, and animals we encountered. Their knowledge really made the excursions much more interesting and helped us appreciate the Amazon on a deeper level. The expeditions were definitely a highlight. I highly recommend the clay lick, sunset cruise, observation tower, river boat tour, and night walk. Each activity offered something different, and we were able to see so much wildlife. The food was also excellent. Everything was fresh and tasted great. I especially enjoyed the protein dishes, fresh fruit, and yuca potatoes. Considering how remote the lodge is, we were very impressed with the quality of the food. The rooms are very open to nature, which is part of what makes the experience so unique. We saw monkeys right from our room, along with many birds and lizards. We even had a frog visit our room at night—which was definitely an interesting Amazon experience! 😂 One thing to be aware of is that the walls between rooms are quite thin, so you can hear your neighbors at times. Overall, the entire experience was absolutely worth the trip. If you’re visiting the Peruvian Amazon, I would strongly recommend Refugio Amazonas. The wildlife, guides, excursions, food, and being completely immersed in nature made this one of the highlights of our Peru trip. 🌿🦜🐒 Read all

Our stay here was one of the favorite parts of our trip to Peru. One of the most memorable parts of the stay is how wonderful the guides were. We had two different guides during our stay: Jos and Jorge. Jos had an amazing connection with the birds, knowing all the bird sounds by ear, he could imitate most of them. His passion for the birds was evident when we went out to see them, and during a visit to look for macaws at the clay lick, he moved locations just so we would have the opportunity to see them. When we viewed them up close through a new blind that had been built, his joy was as much as ours, delighting as if it was his first sighting. Jorge had a beautiful spirit that he shared with us during our time with him. Growing up in the community there, he had so much knowledge about the plants and trees. He introduced us to a medicinal plant, and had stories about some of the different trees. We felt well cared for by both guides. We also enjoyed the nightly science talks, teaching us about some of the ongoing projects which helped us feel more connected to the area. The food was wonderful, and all the staff were extremely helpful throughout our stay. Read all

Amazing location and truly deep jungle. This organisation has three lodges and this is the nearest to Puerto Maldonado but don’t think that the wildlife here is any less than the lodges further along the river. We saw a LOT of different animals, birds and variety of colours. Well worth the stay. Read all

We stayed last february for 4 nights in the TRC lodge. I never could have imagined that I would explore the amazon in such confortable and immersive way. The lodge itself is such a luxurious place, in the middle of nowhere! The food was nicely curated everyday to offer new bits and pieces of the Peruvian cuisine. The absolute highlight of our stay here was for sure the activities and our guide Carmen, who accompanied us everyday! We were able to choose our everydays activities with our very reduced group and our guide. Carmen guided us on very activity, spotting and explaining what animals we saw and interesting facts about our surroundings. Her knowledge and excitement were so infectious that it would even make the sightings even more special! Read all

One of the most unique experiences we’ve had! You are deep in the heart of the Amazon and truly feel immersed in nature. Our guide Dino was awesome and taught us so much about the rainforest-he is like a walking encyclopedia, and his love for the forest really shows. Also very unique to listen to nightly talks from the research team-it really adds to the experience. Food was great and staff very friendly. Bring lots of bug spray and an adventurous spirit! Read all

The lodge was fantastic; they were very attentive to our needs. The dining staff brought special bread for my wife because of her celiac disease and offered to prepare dishes specifically for her to meet her dietary needs. The lodge guides were truly knowledgeable and went out of their way to help us see all the local wildlife. I especially loved the mosquito net service they provided. I was worried we’d be eaten alive, but their setup is fabulous; I had no concerns once I saw how they installed the impenetrable nets and curtains. The meals were as good as—or better than—anywhere else we ate in Peru. We saw the following animals: macaws, parrots, parakeets, pale-winged trumpeters, tamarins, caimans, capybaras, and a ton of insects on our night hike. Read all