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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.

What our guest say
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A truly magical experience. It’s set in a completely unique location in the middle of the jungle with no other lodges around. The guide we had (Jarinson) was the best, so so knowledgeable, experienced and lovely to spend the time with. The lodge itself is beautiful and food was great too. Would highly recommend. Read all

Interesting bus and river boat rides bring you to Posada Amazonas on the Tambopata River. It’s managed by the Ese Eja indigenous community. Luis M., our guide, helped us observe birds and learn about plants and other animals. A canopy tower, clay lick and oxbow lake are highlights. All personnel are extremely kind and researchers give short lectures in the evening. The food is delicious! Excellent mosquito netting in rooms! Read all

Wow where do I even begin. This was one of the most unique and special experiences we've ever had. You are smack dab in the middle of nowhere, deep in the Amazon jungle. Surrounded by plants and animals of all kinds and some of the most breathtaking scenery you can imagine. And in the company of scientists doing conservation work all around you. The facility is gorgeous beyond belief. Everything is so thoughtfully prepared, from water servers everywhere to comfy couches to hammocks to raised walkways so you can pad around barefoot without feeling like you're going to step on a scorpion. The meals are positively gourmet. They have delicious fresh juice out for you when you come back from your hikes. We spend 2 days there and I genuinely feel like I saw the jungle. 2-3 excursions a day with a private guide to show you everything from plants to birds to animals to a very tall tower where you can watch the sunset over the canopy. We only had 3 people in our group but I believe there can be up to 7. You have the same guide your whole trip so you really get to know them. Johan was our guide and he was wonderful. And I do believe the number of excursions/type/length can be adjusted based on your groups physical ability. The rooms are beautiful and comfy and they help you prepare mosquito netting at night so you can be comfortable. There's a full bar, in the middle of the rainforest. At night there are short (30 min) lectures you can go to if you want where the scientists talk about their work. Fascinating. We loved that the center was very eco conscious and put a lot of effort into being low impact while also offering a truly luxurious experience. That being said. Do yourself a favor and read the web site. This experience will not be for everyone. Ppl posting negative comments here about the heat, bugs, open rooms, etc did not do their homework. You are far, far inside pristine Amazon jungle. It is hot, humid, rainy, and there are bugs. You can expect to use your lovely shower a few times a day to cool off. Fortunately you have lots of down time during the heat of the day to rest under the ceiling fan in your room. There were lots of grasshoppers, moths etc around our room but honestly we didn't have many issues with biting insects or mosquitos despite visiting during the rainy season (we did use bug spray). Your room has one open wall that faces nature. Yes, technically than means someone could see you walking around naked in your room, but you are 15 feet up in the air and facing directly into thick jungle, there is no one out there besides birds and monkeys to see you. They do cut the brush back so nothing except maybe some birds could get into your room. The sounds are magical at night and during the day. It's hot especially if you go during the rainy season as we did. If you hate bugs or can't handle life without air conditioning, this is not for you. Truthfully we had no issues sleeping. Ventilation is another big benefit of the one open wall. Think of this as the glampiest glamping you'll ever do and you will not be disappointed. Read the web site and reviews thoroughly and you won't be surprised. Being good hiking shoes, a lightweight waterproof jacket, refillable water bottle, a hat, binoculars (you can rent them too), bug spray, and sunscreen. Lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants are essential bc you want to be covered so you won't get bitten or in case you brush up against a nasty plant. We saw monkeys, macaws, capybaras, owls, a caiman, and some cool jungle bugs. The guides even have a telescope you can use to both look at the animals and take great pictures with your phone. once in a lifetime experience in one of the most special and precious ecosystems in the world. Worth every penny and honestly we felt the price was cheap considering what you get. The highlight of our trip to Peru. Thank you so much. Read all

It was our first time in the rainforest and we wouldn't do it any other way. The boat rides on the Madre de Dios and the walks through the rainforests were both exciting and peaceful. Exciting when we spotted wildlife and peaceful as we settled in to hear the sounds and sights of the forest. The lodge was comfortable and the food was great. The research talks in the evenings were a great pre-dinner ritual for us. Do check them out. Saul was an amazing guide - friendly, fun, knowledgeable and very tuned to the rainforest. He could pick up on slight sounds and movements and helped us spot some great wildlife. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature this is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories :) Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Rooms: Rooms are large, spacious with wide open balconies, but no monkeys come in ( they strictly don't encourage wildlife feeding). Nearby activities: Lots of them, morning hikes, afternoon hikes, sunset cruise Walkability: You need to walk a bit, so you need to be mobile Food & drinks: Awesome Buffet, great food. Read all

The immersion experience was great. Be prepared though to feel hot and full of bug spray much of the time. Wear hiking pants. Not Lulu leggings (too hot). The guides are great and you can do as much or as little as you want. We saw a lot of animals. Read all

Posadas Amazonas is an eco-friendly lodge that makes a huge commitment to preserving the rainforest for generations to come. The food served (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is fresh and delicious! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and caring. A special shoutout to the lodge manager Cesar for ensuring that we had packed meals for the onward journey when we were delayed by a rain storm. The main attractions apart from the abundant wildlife are the canopy tower and nearby Oxbow lake. The canopy tower gives a great 360 degree view of the rainforest and we were fortunate to see monkeys and macaws from the vantage point. At the Oxbow lake we saw river otters and Caimans and we were able to catch a piranha fish as well. Overall, Posada Amazonas is a great lodge owned and operated by the native communities located in the amazing Amazon rainforest. Read all

I had an amazing time here. I was traveling solo and did 4 days/3 nights through Inca Expert Travel. It was an unforgettable experience! I opted for a group tour for the excursions and am glad I did. Our guide, Boris, was fantastic and made sure we saw as much wildlife as possible. I can't say enough good things about him. The rest of the staff were also very kind. I enjoyed the large variety of fresh food at each meal. I felt safe and well-taken care of the entire time. Read all

TRC was an amazing place to stay. Being in the Amazon rainforest was truly like no other trip I have or will ever take. From arrival we were greeted by staff with cool drinks, warm welcomes. Beautiful main area w bar, sofas, tables,games. Our guide Fernando was SO knowledgeable, interesting, enthusiastic,. We already miss his smile and laugh :) We did every excursion available over our 4 days there. The night hike turned out to be our favorite as we spotted the wandering spider then and many other intersting moths/insects. January is hot and humid, so yes expect to be wet,sweaty. Pack extra bag for wet stinky clothes ... Be ok w insects as no 4th wall in your rooms so at night mosquitio nets do a good job preventing bugs in your bed but when you wake up to use bathroom excpect moths, grasshopppers etc in room. All harmless!! TRC does provide nice rainboots for wet swampy treks.. Read all

A perfect experience in the Amazon. Harry, our guide, made the entire experience very memorable. The food is good, the bar is expensive but good and the support staff were excellent. Tanya, the manager, took care of all our needs and was very supportive the entire stay. Please remember that the rooms are open to the nature and therefore comes with its pros and cons. You wake up with the nature including the mosquitos :) The experiences offered by the Refugio is fantastic and provides a great exposure to the Amazon. Dont miss the Macaw trip. It is just magical. Read all

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! From the getgo, it was easy to coordinate our 4-day stay at Tambopata. The booking was all done via email with quick responses, there was clear communication leading up to our stay and even upon arrival the staff was extremely organized (incl. taking our bags and making sure they arrived to our rooms). During our stay the staff was all very friendly and accomodating, the lodge was always clean (actually impressively clean given it is located in the jungle), and the food was great and plentiful. By far the best part of our stay was our tour guide, Saul. Upon arrival, Saul helped us pick our activities based on what animals we wanted to see (using his 10 years of experience). He worked on timing to make sure we can see as much as possible, was extremely knowledgable on the rainforest, the plants, the insects and the animals and noticeably put in the extra effort to find animals. You can tell that he truly loves his job and was always equally as excited to see the animals as us, even though he has seen them thousands of times. He helped us find monkeys, birds, countless insects, lizards, capybaras ect. I am 100% confident our experience wouldn't be the same without him. He even helped us capture these cool photos with only our iphone!! If you are planning to stay are TRC, I would highly recommend asking for Saul as a tour guide, if possible. Read all

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