Why Visit The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Have you heard of the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick in the Amazon Jungle?

Also known as Collpa Chuncho (in the native Quechua language), this incredible natural area is found within the deep depths of the Tambopata Rainforest in Peru, and is known for being a popular feeding place for dozens of Macaw, Parrots and other species. 

So much so that it is quickly becoming one of the most popular areas for travelers to head to within the entire Peruvian Amazon Jungle. 

In this guide we’ll take a look at what the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is, and also some of the best things to see and do here. We’ll also answer any other questions you may have in our FAQ section.

Why You Should Visit The Macaw Clay Lick In Collpa Chuncho

From seeing rare bird species to exploring deeper into the Tambopata Jungle, let’s now take a look at some of the best reasons that you should visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.

See A High Concentration Of Macaw Parrots

Within this area of the Amazon Rainforest we can see many exotic animal species, however seeing Macaws in their preferred habitat is an experience that is hard to beat. 

Due to being naturally rich in nutrients (such as salt and sodium), the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is a popular place for Macaws to feed and enjoy the tranquil setting. On a guided tour you’ll be able to see dozens of Macaws swooping down and around, and also shrieking at quite a volume as they enjoy the site.

The best part is that you’ll be spectating the site from a hidden opening in the jungle – meaning you won’t disturb the Macaws or affect their habitat.

Explore Deeper Into The Peruvian Amazon Jungle

The Tambopata Jungle is already quite a remote area of rainforest within Peru, which can be accessed once you have arrived in Puerto Maldonado. 

However the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is located in the Río Alto Tambopata, which is some 120 km further upstream from the city (around an hour and a half by boat) – meaning we can explore an even more untouched area of the jungle. Given the distance, you will need a minimum of two days to be able to visit this particular clay lick.

Not only does this mean there will be less human settlements and disturbance, it also means there’s a better chance of seeing more wildlife. This includes Capybara, Tapir and the elusive Jaguar – which otherwise keep their distance from areas which humans populate.

Spot Other Types Of Rare Bird Species

Despite the name, the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is also a popular spot for many other rare bird species found within the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. 

This includes Parakeets, which are a smaller type of Parrot which can be found in many bright green and blue colors. They tend to fly around in larger groups together around the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, and make many whistling and chatting-like sounds. 

You can also see many species of Parrots also occupying the clay lick, which help to make up a total of over 20 tropical bird species within this stunning area.

Relax In A Breathtaking Natural Setting

Whilst most focus is given to the animals that we can find at clay licks, we tend to forget that we ourselves can also benefit from being here.

Given the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is located so far away from the loud city of Puerto Maldonado, it means that you’ll be able to fully relax here. The quiet setting makes for a perfect time to get into a quieter state, where you can think clearly whilst becoming more curious of the surrounding jungle. 

The best thing about heading on a tour here is that you’ll have a knowledgeable guide ready on-hand for any questions you have about the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. This could also include any extra suggestions to help you have a more satisfying experience, or even to spend longer here than usual.

We recommend staying a little longer here exactly for this reason. On our 3 Day Tour you’ll be able to really relax and get in touch with the jungle, as well as spot rarer species given you’ll be in a more remote setting with less tourists around.

Macaw Clay Licks In Peru

Collpa Chuncho is in fact just one of many clay licks that are located within the Peruvian Amazon.

Specifically there are more within the Tambopata region than anywhere else in the entire Amazon Jungle, and there are other options you can visit too such as that of the Tambopata Research Centre and that of the Refugio Amazonas Lodge. The only downside of visiting these bigger ones is that there will be more people, given they are popular and are more easily accessible from Puerto Maldonado.

There are also other types of clay licks (usually more remote) which are great for seeing other animals such as Tapir, rather than just birds. So it really depends on what type of animal you want to see the most, as well as if you prefer to visit one that is more authentic and remote – such as Collpa Chuncho.

It’s important to remember that these clay licks are not just limited to the main animal that you’ll see here. Predators like Jaguars often visit these areas too given lots of animals feed here, so if you’re lucky you may even see one of these elusive big cats too!

Visiting The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick FAQ

Here we’ll now answer some of the most frequent questions we get about visiting the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.

What Is A Clay Lick?

A clay lick (also known as a Collpa in the indigenous Quechua language) is a natural area of clay which is formed by either weathering or erosion over time. Within the Amazon Jungle we’ll find numerous clay licks, however the highest concentration of all is found within the Peruvian region of Tambopata. The exposed clay here has a rich level of minerals, including those of salt and sodium, which make them popular feeding spots for different animals in the jungle. 

Why Do Macaws Lick Clay?

The clay found in the Amazon Jungle offers numerous benefits to Macaws and other types of parrots. Firstly the clay offers an abundance of minerals such as sodium, which help to balance the build-up of toxins in their bodies as a result of their diet (which consists of a variety of unripe fruits, nuts and seeds). The clay also helps nourish them with sodium and other important minerals, which are otherwise difficult to get in their usual daily diets.

Where Is The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick?

The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is located within the Tambopata Jungle, which is found within the Madre de Dios region in the south-east of Peru. The clay lick itself is situated in quite a remote area 150km from the nearest major city, so to get here you’ll first need to head to Puerto Maldonado and then on an organized tour to reach the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.

Is Clay Safe For Parrots?

As you might be wondering, eating a tonne of earthly matter may not seem like the healthiest thing you could do when in the jungle.

However the clay found within these licks is entirely natural, and actually has an abundance of rich minerals that help nourish animals that feed here. This includes Parrots, who can get their daily dose of sodium and magnesium (as well as others minerals) by eating the clay here.

More importantly though, is that eating clay is actually a vital way for Parrots to stay safe. Their diets heavily consist of raw fruits and nuts, which can lead to a build-up of nasty toxins in their bodies. By eating clay they are able to remove these harmful substances with no negative effects.

Why You Should Visit The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

And that’s all for this guide on why you should visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.

Known for their natural healing properties and abundance of rich minerals, clay licks are an important site for a variety of animals. 

Macaws in particular make frequent visits to these from all over the Amazon Jungle, and we highly recommend coming too where you can see dozens of these multi-coloured exotic birds (among others such as Parakeets as well as potentially other rare animals).

You can visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick with our guided multi-day tour, where you’ll spend your days spotting exotic animals such as Monkeys, Peccary and Macaws, whilst sleeping your nights in our comfortable jungle lodges.