What’s the big deal about seeing parrots eat dirt? In the natural world, clay provides parrots and macaws with essential minerals to survive.
Watching dozens of them gather on clay walls is both fascinating and unique, which is why it has become so popular among visitors.
You can find some of the most iconic clay licks (or colpas) in the Peruvian jungle, especially in Tambopata, Manu National Park, and Pacaya Samiria.
So, in this article, we’ll explore what exactly these clay licks or “colpas” are. Watching birds eat dirt may seem strange, but it’s a fascinating sight. This behavior plays a key role in nature’s balance. Let’s dive in then!
What on Earth Are Clay Licks?
We call these dirt walls “macaw clay licks” or “collpas.” Collpa comes from the Quechua word “qolpa,” which means salty land or mineral salt.
So, this is the place where animals, such as mammals, and especially birds, gather to eat clay, which contains mineral salts that they can’t find in vegetables or fruits. When they consume it, it can also help with reproduction.
Clay particles can also attach to alkaloids and other substances in unripe fruits. This helps lower their toxic effects.
Lastly, there’s the social part: Clay licks are safe spots for flocks. They gather, make sounds, and land one by one. This helps reduce the chance of being preyed upon.
History and Cultural Significance
The origin of clay licks has different hypotheses. In the northeastern Amazon rainforest, the explanation is clearer thanks to scientific evidence of an ancient oceanic transgression in the region, where even marine fossils have been found.
On the other side, in the southeast, however, one hypothesis suggests that strong waves once pushed seawater from southern Paraguay into southern Bolivia, allowing saltwater to mix with freshwater river systems that eventually reached the southeastern Peruvian Amazon.
In this area, sodium levels in vegetation are very low, while the clay from the licks contains up to 40 times more sodium—explaining why wildlife relies on them.
Indigenous Amazonian communities’ knowledge of clay licks long before science explained them. Clay licks in local folklore and traditional ecological understanding.
When Western scientists first documented them (brief reference to explorers and biologists from the 20th century).
The Main Stars – Animals You Can Spot
Macaws: They’re the stars of the collpas. You can spot hundreds of them in different colors, red and green macaws, blue and yellow, and scarlet. You can also see species such as the elusive blue-headed macaw
Parrots and parakeets: Although they’re not as impressive as the macaws, they’re smaller and different, but also come in different and vibrant colors.
Mammals: Although they’re not regular customers like the macaws, capybaras, tapirs, and even peccaries, they can be seen in these clay licks. Occasionally, jaguars or ocelots wait for the perfect ambush.
Where to See Clay Licks in Peru
Tambopata National Reserve, the best in Peru
This national reserve is home to the most important and famous colpa in Peru: Colpa Colorado. Its towering walls rise over 25 meters high and stretch nearly one kilometer wide.
Every morning, hundreds of colorful bird species and some mammals come here to get important nutrients. If you’re looking for the ultimate clay lick experience, Colpa Colorado in Tambopata is the place to be. Although it is 12 hours away from Tambopata by boat, believe us when we tell you it’s worth it.
On the other side, the Chuncho Colpa is more approachable, just 5 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata’s closest city. You can spend just one day to see this colpa in action
Manu National Park – Remote and pristine
Few experiences in the Amazon compare to witnessing the macaw clay lick. Dozens of bright macaws and parrots soar above.
Their colorful feathers shine in the morning light. Their calls echo through the rainforest. Against the lush green backdrop of Manu National Park, it’s a scene you will never forget.
The magic happens early in the morning: This is when the birds descend from the treetops to feed on the clay walls.
They often stay for hours, giving travelers plenty of time to watch, take photos, and simply marvel at nature’s show.
Because this site is so special, it’s carefully regulated by the Peruvian government. Visitors must follow strict guidelines to avoid disturbing the birds and damaging their habitat. By respecting these rules, you’ll help protect one of Peru’s most incredible natural wonders.
Types of Lodges and Guided Tours Available
If you want to visit a clay lick, you’ll need to stay in a jungle lodge—and the good news is that there’s an option for every style of traveler:
Eco-Lodges: These are the most common and popular. Built with natural materials, they blend with the rainforest and focus on sustainability. Many are community-run, so by staying here, you’re supporting locals directly.
Comfort & Mid-Range Lodges: Perfect if you want a balance of comfort and adventure. Expect private rooms with mosquito nets, good food, and guides included. You’ll often find packages that include clay lick visits, canopy towers, and night walks.
Luxury Jungle Lodges: For those who want nature without giving up comfort. Think stylish bungalows, gourmet meals, and even spas in the middle of the jungle.
Most lodges offer guided tours led by trained naturalists. A typical package includes:
Boat transfers from Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos.
Early-morning trips to clay licks.
Extra activities like canopy walks, night safaris, or cultural visits to local communities.
For the adventurous, there are also multi-day expeditions deep into Manu or Pacaya Samiria, where you’ll see fewer tourists and more wildlife.
Whether you go rustic or luxury, the experience of waking up to the sounds of the Amazon and heading out at sunrise to see the clay licks is one of the highlights of a trip to Peru.
What a typical visit looks like
Visiting a clay lick is an experience that starts at dawn. Most tours begin with early morning boat rides along misty Amazon rivers, where the rising sun paints the jungle in soft golden light.
The anticipation builds as you approach the colpa, and the sounds of the forest wake up around you. Visitors can watch the spectacle from riverbank hides or quiet floating platforms.
These spots are designed to minimize noise and movement. This allows you to get close without disturbing the animals.
The moment hundreds of macaws and parrots swoop down together is unforgettable—it’s like a moving rainbow on the clay walls.
Photography tips: A good zoom lens and a steady hand are your best friends. The dry season (May–October) usually offers clear skies and reliable boat access, perfect for photos.
During the rainy season (November–April), the jungle gets greener. Wildlife is more active, too. However, trails can be muddier, and delays may happen.
Conservation and Threats
Despite their beauty, clay licks face serious challenges. Deforestation, illegal logging, and mining are harming habitats.
Also, the illegal wildlife trade is putting parrot and macaw populations at risk. These colorful birds are often captured for the pet trade, reducing their numbers in the wild.
Here’s the good news: ecotourism plays a key role in protecting clay licks. Travelers who pick eco-lodges and guided tours help conservation projects and local communities.
This creates an economic incentive to keep the forests standing. Several organizations are involved in these efforts:
Rainforest Expeditions – manages eco-lodges near Tambopata and funds scientific research.
WWF Peru – works to conserve biodiversity and fight illegal wildlife trade.
Local communities enjoy tourism jobs and often take part in protecting the areas in which they live.
Your visit isn’t just a trip—it’s a small but meaningful contribution to conservation.
More than just birds eating dirt
At first glance, you might think: “It’s just parrots eating dirt.” But standing there, watching wave after wave of brilliant macaws, listening to their calls echo through the forest, you realize it’s much more.
Clay licks are a reminder of the Amazon’s fragile balance, how even something as simple as minerals in clay sustains entire species.
For visitors, it’s a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and witness a ritual that has been happening for thousands of years. It’s humbling, magical, and unforgettable.
And when you leave, you’ll carry with you not just photos but also a deeper appreciation for why places like this must be protected. Visit responsibly, respect the wildlife, and remember you’re part of the story of keeping the Amazon alive.
Finally, to learn more about fascinating places in Peru, keep reading our blog. Likewise, Viagens Machu Picchu invites you to discover the real Peru with our assistance.
So please, feel free to contact us, so you can get information about our tours, packages, and best destinations. The adventure in the clay licks awaits; don’t be late!
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