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All Peru Tambopata Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

The world's largest clay lick, where parrots gather to snack.

Tambopata, Peru

Added By
Molly McBride Jacobson
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Macaws on the clay lick.   Brian Ralphs/CC BY 2.0
Macaws on the clay lick.   Brian Ralphs/CC BY 2.0
Various macaws and parrots at the Chuncho Clay Lick in Tambopata National Reserve.   Brian Ralphs/CC BY 2.0
Birds flock to the clay lick.   Brian Ralphs/CC BY 2.0
Mealy amazons on the clay lick.   Brian Ralphs/CC BY 2.0
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About

Clay licks are steep walls of red clay caused by erosion along riverbanks. The name comes from the animals they attract: parrots who flock there by the hundreds to eat the clay every morning.

Scientists don't know exactly why parrots do this, but they suspect it has to do with mineral deficiencies. Whatever the case, the birds' strange habit provides human visitors to the Tambopata National Reserve a rare chance to see this many exotic parrots up close and personal. The clay lick here is the largest in the world, meaning that it provides birdwatchers with the chance to see more of the colorful parrots than anywhere else.

The bright reds and blues of the parrots' feathers stand out against the muddy wall. The birds are mostly macaws, though smaller parrots and mealies of all sorts group at the clay lick as well. The sound of flapping wings and screeching birds is apparently deafening, which only adds to the view.

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Animals Birds Fauna
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Added By

Molly McBride Jacobson

Published

January 16, 2017

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Sources
  • http://www.gotambopata.com/en/places-to-visit/macaw-parrot-clay-licks/
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g488184-d1444024-Reviews-Chuncho_Macaw_Clay_Lick-Tambopata_National_Reserve_Madre_de_Dios_Region.html
  • http://tambopatahostel.com/blog/2015/09/21/chuncho-clay-lick-tambopata-tours/
  • http://www.perunature.com/jungle_activities/macaw-clay-lick/
Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
Reserva Nacional Tambopata
Tambopata
Peru
-12.979206, -69.506797
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Nearby Places

Tambopata Research Center

Tambopata, Peru

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tambopata

Tambopata

Peru

Places 3
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Tambopata Research Center

Tambopata, Peru

miles away

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tambopata

Tambopata

Peru

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Stories 1

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