Parrot Clay Lick

The most beloved birds of the Amazon

From outside in the middle of the environment all the parrots can see is a natural hut that can hardly be seen from a cliff, but inside the hut the tourists and their guide will be ready waiting for the wonderful and amazing moment, to have them before them this show incredible, you’ll be able to accommodate yourself to have some wonderful photographic shots.

The parrot clay lick is located in one of the cliffs of the Madre de Dios river, near our lodge, we take the motorized boat to get to the place, the parrot clay lick, is the best place to see dozens of parrots, parrot kits and macaws of different species and colors that come together to reach the clay wall, rich in nutrients, which allows tourists to see the incredible diversity of the Amazon in this special place.

Why you’ll Love the Parrot Clay Lick

Because it is fascinating and spectacular to see these tropical birds from a hiding place, there we can observe more than 7 species of parrots and macaws like Dusky-Headed and Cobalt-Winged Parakeets, Chestnut-Fronted Macaws, and Mealy, Yellow-Crowned, Blue-Headed , and Orange-Cheeked Parrots.
Researchers have studied these birds while eating clay around the region. His theory is that these birds eat clay to supplement salt in their diet, since, far from any ocean, there is very little sodium in the water or in their food.

Parrot Clay Lick Details

• Season of the year: April – September
• Recommended for: Morning
• Duration: 3 hours
• Difficulty Level: I
• Altitude: low jungle 350.m.s.n.m
• Available at: Palotoa Amazon lodge

Images Parrot Clay Lick

Frequently asked questions

What is the size of the groups?

The size of the group is 9 people per guide; if we have more than (10 to 14), we send a second guide (not an assistant). If there are more than 14 people, we divide into 2 totally independent groups both with their own cars, boats, guides and cooks.

Do you guarantee to see birds in the Macaw Clay Licks?

We can not assure you that you will see the Macaws in the clay licks, but if you travel in the correct station you have more opportunities to see them. The dry season is a good season to see these birds, the reason is that birds in some stations migrate to places of fruit production, or in some cases eat only seeds per season.

The seeds are toxic in general to prevent birds from eating them; however, if the macaws eat them, they increase the poison in their stomachs and to neutralize the acids and poisons that are produced in their stomachs they eat nutritious clay. In the rainy season there are many fruits until the beginning of the dry season, which is May.

Then the macaws eat less seeds and fruits that are less toxic and feel less need to eat the clay, this means that there are few macaws present; at midday of the dry season there could be the presence of 100 to 150 macaws present in a morning, unlike only 10 to 50 at the end of the rainy season.

Do I have to be in good physical condition to go to Manu?

On the trip to the jungle of Manu, you will spend good time on the bus and in the boat and then we will make hikes that do not exceed 3 to 4 hours per departure.
Due to heat and humidity some people feel exhausted, tired; We usually have a “SIESTA” at noon and also the possibility of staying in the hostel if you do not want to participate in the walks.
A trip to the rainforest is not comfortable BUT if you bring the right clothes, you will have an incomparable experience.

Should I take prophylaxis against Malaria?

The risk of contracting malaria is low in the area we visit. However, the area is close to a gold mining area, the miners can travel in the same river that we travel, there is the possibility of mosquito bites that do not yet have malaria, can be infected by mincing the miner with malaria and then sting you and then infect Malaria. This possibility is very rare and until now there are no tourists that travel to Manu that has malaria.