Macaw Clay Lick in Peru is an unmissable sight. If the site of the most brightly colored parrots charms you, you would be amazed and wonderstruck watching parrots of the western Amazon basin that displays a strange behaviour not seen anywhere else in the world.    

Within the borders of Peru, along the river banks in the western Amazon basin, flock macaws and other vibrantly hued parrots in hundreds. The reason for their visit is to accumulate the clay that they would consume in nearby trees.          

Clay to Neutralize

Macaws clay lick Manu is a great site for onlookers with science reasoning the mystery. 

According to studies conducted, the clay neutralizes toxins (naturally occurring as tannins in plants which animals ingest). It helps remove them from the animals’ body through the process of adsorption.

The clay binds to the toxins before the gastrointestinal tract can absorb them. Thereby toxins are excreted alongside the clay.

Do you know some humans also eat or drink this clay to combat stomach and other health issues?

Recent Wired Reports

According to the recent Wired Reports, these birds may be ‘using the reddish-brown muck to help augment a sodium-poor diet’. Macaw visits these clay banks commonly called salt licks or clay licks.   

What is Macaw Clay Lick in Peru?

Clay licks are the steep walls of red clay exposed by erosion by the river. They are on the banks of the western Amazon basin. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather to eat the clay.

Several areas in Peru offer an amazing opportunity for tourists to view the birds and their clay banks that includes Manu National Park located in southeastern Peru.

Where to Find the Best Macaw clay lick in Peru?

The southern and western Amazon Rainforest has the maximum concentrations of clay licks than anywhere else in the region. The greatest being the Chuncho clay lick located in the center of the Tambopata National Reserve.

You can find other best options near the in Manu National Park near Treehouse INN.

As macaw activity is closely links to fruit availability in the forest, make sure to arrive at clay licks when there are plenty of fruits; that drop from April and July being the dry season.

At the best macaw clay lick in Peru, you can view 200 macaws at a time. Therefore visiting the clay licks is one of the best things to do in Peru whereby you watch a fantastic display of giant colorful parrots.

Reaching These Clay Licks

The most convenient way to reach these clay licks and enjoy the spectacular view of Macaws in-action is by booking a day trip or overnight tour.

This trip will leave you with half a day to visit a clay lick within this National Reserve. Thereafter, you may stop at the small lake to fish for piranhas.

If you are planning a longer trip of two, three, or four days; must grab the chance to visit macaws licks, go for a hiking trip through the jungle, enjoy the amazing view of Palotoa River and be ready to spot plenty of tropical birds along with monkeys, peccaries, tapirs, and capybaras.

Winding Up 

This trip is going to be intensive, full of adventure and thrill besides the possibility to explore attractive landscapes and amazing wild animals. Go for it now!