Clay Licks    Click on the images below to see an enlargement

Clay licks like are scattered throughout western Amazonia. Although locals have always known about these clay licks and the ability to see parrots well at these sites, they did not gain the attention of scientists until 1984. At that time tropical nature scientists in Peru began studying the reasons why parrots and macaws eat the clay.

It is now known that clay licks form an important part of their biology. Both parrots and macaws live by eating nuts from a variety of trees. Some of these trees have developed defences against having the nuts eaten and digested, typically by having evolved a toxin that is in the nut to protect it. Any animal that eats the nut will then become sick.

Parrots and macaws have evolved with these trees, and have developed their own response to the toxins in the nuts. The answer lies in the clay. Certain minerals in the clay are able to neutralise the toxins in these nuts, and so parrots and macaws seek out deposits of this very special clay. Once a deposit is identified, parrots and macaws will come many miles to eat the clay. This allows them to eat more nuts, and in turn allows them to survive periods when other, non-toxic nuts are not available.

The viewing blind nearest the Napo River (Saladero de Loros) is typically visited by hundreds of Mealy Parrots, Yellow-crowned Parrots, Orange-winged Parrots, Blue-headed Parrots, Dusky-headed Parakeets, and occasional White-eyed and Cobalt-winged Parakeets. The blind at this site is large, with plenty of space for upwards of 30 guests at a time, and even includes a basic bathroom. Access is a simple 75m walk along an improved path. Unfortunately, while we saw and heard hundreds of birds in the trees (only on the third day), Howler Monkeys and a circling Eagle kept most away from the clay.

The other blind, deeper in the forest (Saladero de Pericos), is typically visited by a thousand or more Cobalt-winged Parakeets. The noise is incredible, as we can attest!

From late October through to early April, hundreds of Orange-cheeked Parrots are also found in the mix, as are rarities such as the Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlets and occasional Scarlet and Red-and-green Macaws. Access to this clay lick involves a 700m hike on an improved path with stairs and boardwalks where necessary (and some interesting flora on the way). We were fortunate to see hundreds of Parakeets on our third visit to this site, but no others species. I was also lucky enough to catch a Humming Bird on nearby flowers.

At Saladero de Loros	Howler monkey
On the path to Saladero de Pericos
				Parakeets at Saladero de Pericos
	Humming bird