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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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Fantastic to be deep in the forest surrounded by incredible wildlife with our amazing guide Juan Carlos Yatto, who really knew his stuff! Also his photography skills meant that we could share our experience even better through his telescope using our phone cameras! We learned so much!! He went to extra lengths to find butterflies and moths for us along with so many different birds and monkeys. This was a travel highlight for us as experienced wildlife travellers. We loved our spacious room with no windows and open to more wildlife visitors but after 5 nights the bed could have been a little more comfortable. Luckily we had a second bed to use. Otherwise it was fantastic with hot water showers and fresh drinking water all the time. We were amazed at the variety of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn’t believe they could have such a wonderful food offering in such a remote location. Even the wine and cocktails were great. I highly recommend spending the extra money and time getting to this location. We stayed at another lodge later which was closer to Puerto Maldonado and there was far less wildlife. Read all

Ederson made the stay at the lodge amazing. I have had many guides around the world and Ederson may be the best I have had across 50 countries. The lodge itself is nice, and has electricity. Food is good, and you really feel immersed in the amazon staying there. Its great that a portion of the money goes back to conservation and research. Noteworthy details: Ederson, the "commander" is the best guide! Read all

Through a travel agency in Lima we booked a 4day/3-night stay at Refugio Amazonas. We were looking for a lodge that was far away from Puerto Maldonado but didn't require almost a day to get there (like TRC), with extensive walking trails and with the principal jungle highlights nearby. We were not disappointed. As we later learned, this is probably the best lodge in the region! Well run, quiet, excellent food, beautifully located in the middle of the forest, everything was "right". Surprisingly there were few mosquitos or bugs. Emperatriz (MP as some call her), our guide, has a keen eye and took us on some unforgettable walks and boat rides, both day and night. The birds at the clay lick were fantastic. The lodge also had evening lectures by young researchers as well as special activities such as collecting night moths and setting a trap camera. We later received videos and photo's of what was found (including a puma!). I can recommend this lodge without reservation. Read all

Abbiamo scelto il Tambopata Research Center perché il nostro obbiettivo era di poter vedere le are da vicino. Ci siamo stati ad inizio dicembre scorso, l'inizio della stagione delle piogge, perciò abbiamo scelto di restare 5 notti/6 giorni, abbiamo messo in conto di perdere delle giornate a causa della pioggia e per la lontananza da Puerto Maldonado, per nostra fortuna durante il nostro soggiorno ha piovuto solo il giorno di partenza proprio quando arrivavamo in aeroporto. Non c'é stato un giorno che non ne abbiamo visto: are di diverse specie e colori e molti altri uccelli e primati, spettacolare l'incontro a pochi centimetri con un formichiere bianco, ma non il giaguaro. Consigliamo di pernottatre almeno 3 notti, il viaggio é molto lungo. Noi eravamo all'aeroporto di Lima già alle 8:00 di mattina e tra un volo in ritardo, uno spostamento in bus di ca. 45 minuti per arrivare al fiume, ed un trasferimento in barca veloce, siamo arrivati al lodge verso le 16:30. All'aeroporto ci ha accolto la nostra guida privata Alfred, che ci ha seguito per tutto il soggiorno, di giorno in giorno abbiamo deciso le escursioni da fare, ed Alfred si é rivelato essere una super guida, un occhio di falco per scoprire anche il più piccolo uccellino, con pazienza é riuscito a farci camminare chilometri nella giungla, ci ha spiegato molto sulla flora e fauna. Bravissimo a far video e foto con i nostri telefoni col suo binocolo e cavalletto che si portava sempre appresso, queste foto sono dei magnifici ricordi. TRC non é un hotel, é un centro di ricerca per le are, in mezzo ad una foresta ed a ore dal primo centro abitato, perciò non avevamo delle grandi aspettative ne sul cibo ne sull'alloggio Read all

This place is a treat!! Incredible flora & fauna, food and service - the staff is quite attentive. Interesting research, with lots of potential. Visiting the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest is a must do! Read all

We had the most amazing time EVER at Refugio Amazonas, and I am so very glad I booked our stay here. Honestly, this is to date probably the best travel experience we have ever had and I will never forget our time in the Amazon here. First of all, the lodge is beautiful. Our room was lovely. The beds were comfy. The bathrooms are large. It is incredible waking up to the sounds of the jungle and falling asleep to the insects at night. We did have some insects in our room, and a rodent, and even a tarantula (non poisonous)! But it was part of the experience. The food was great and they prioritize native and local ingredients. My partner and I are both vegan and they took SUCH good care of us. The food was delicious, and we had ample vegan options every meal. Everything from the first email contacts with Katia to the transfers to the first night info session to the activities-- which I will get to in a second-- was incredible. It is a bit pricey, but everything is included and there is nothing you need to worry about, and it was so worth it. OK now for the best part-- the activities. Holy wow. First of all, we had the best guide EVER-- Juan Carlos. He was amazing. He is a bird expert, knows so much about the animals who live in the rainforest, the insects, the trees, the plant life, it was incredible. He also so clearly cared that everyone in our group had an amazing time. He took so many pictures for us, pointed out so many animals for us, and made sure we all enjoyed every moment. I can’t thank him enough because it made our time here so very special. We went on many activities that were amazing, and we saw so many animals— capybaras, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, so many incredible insects, frogs, tarantulas, so many many birds and butterflies. Every activity was amazing but the highlights were the macaw clay lick and the canopy tower. And we were super impressed and happy to hear about their commitment to conservation, protecting the animals, and supporting the native community nearby. There is so much I could say about our stay here but I would recommend a 3 night stay over 2 nights (so you can do more activities), and make sure you read the guides they send via email before you come so you pack correctly and know what to expect and bring--the guide includes everything so that there are no surprises, and we knew exactly what to expect, although our stay exceeded our expectations! I highly, highly recommend staying here, it was magical, it was a once in a life time adventure, and I will never forget it. I also want to shout out the manager of the lodge, I forgot her name, but she was incredible, as well as the service staff at meal times, who were so kind and helpful to point out what was vegan all of the time. I truly hope we can come back some day!! Read all

The lodge was kept very clean, and the staff paid close att to people's needs. It was very easy find activities and the guides were excellent with a genuine intended approach towards sustainability and environment longevity. Read all

A superb stay in a top class Lodge which gave a wonderful insight into the Amazon wildlife. Our guide was Juan Carlos who has incredible knowledge and a lovely sense of humour. The staff in the lodge were so friendly and the meals provided were something to look forward to. A wonderful experience! Read all

I traveled with my mom, who is elderly, and we were a little scared but decided to go for it. Upon arrival, our guide, Christian Herrera, was waiting for us. He was very friendly and had extensive knowledge of the area. The lodge is wonderful, 100% connected to nature. The food is delicious, and everything there is to do near the lodge is incredible. I highly recommend going to the tower at sunset and the macaw clay lick at dawn. Thank you guys for everything, the stay was a dream. Read all

This place totally stole the show! We came to Peru for Machu Picchu, but I think it’s safe to say Refugio Amazonas became the absolute highlight of our trip.It manages to be as luxurious as a stay in the Amazon can be without feeling like too much hand-holding. The rooms don't have windows, which lets you be super close to nature. Sure, that means moths, but it also means drifting off to the peaceful sound of cicadas and waking up to howler monkeys. I honestly can't remember the last time I had such deep, peaceful sleep.The food is another major plus; it's exceptionally fresh, especially considering it’s a buffet. You should absolutely check out their menu, too—it’s one of the most thoughtful and best-designed ones I’ve ever seen. Kevin hosted us at dinner most nights, and he was such great company and so mindful of my wife's dietary restrictions. It really adds to the experience when you feel that people genuinely care.We also took advantage of the exceptional massage here. After a long trip, a massage by Kelly was exactly what the doctor ordered.But the real star of the show is the activities and the guides. We got incredibly lucky with the very best: Juan Carlos. He was funny, great company, and extraordinarily knowledgeable. All the guides at Refugio Amazonas understand that it's not about just ticking a box but about living the experience. That’s why you might take 30 minutes longer to complete a hike—because you decided to spend some time watching Tamarins playing with each other. Jonathan was another guide we had a wonderful, very knowledgeable, and fun time with. We honestly just didn't want to leave and wish we could have stayed longer. Read all

We just finished three weeks in Peru and without a doubt Refugio Amazonas lodge was a real highlight of the trip. You need to know there is NO AC but honestly you don't need it at night in October, There's a ceiling fan and the bed was super comfortable with netting and additional fan within the bed area. The sounds of the jungle at night and Howler monkeys in the morning was great experience. The staff was excellent with a special mention for Paul our guide. He is an excellent Birder as well and can't thank him enough for over 110 new bird species during our four days there. The early morning Macaw clay lick experience with the boat ride in the dark was very cool. The buffet style meals were ok, make sure you bring shoes for mud and extra to walk around with in the lodge. Refugio provides boots for water on trails. See photos Read all

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