At the Macaw Clay Lick on the Tambopata river you will see what is very possibly one of the most neat and yet most bizarre natural events in the world. It's more impressive in some ways than natural wonders like Colca Canyon or manmade wonders like the Temple of the Sun. Every morning, Macaws, parrots and other birds literally flock to and blanket a massive, 130 foot-tall deposit of natural clay on the bank of the Tambopata river basically, to feast on the clay. Scientists aren't sure why they do it, just that they do it.
Some scientists believe that the birds partake in the clay because the minerals, not present in such vast quantities anywhere else in nature, are in abundance in the clay and may serve to neutralize the dangerous toxins that are introduced into their systems when they eat poisonous fruits, native to the area. So, you could look at the clay as an antacid and the birds having just eaten a bit too much "spicy" food. But that's not the only theory as to why the birds perform this unusual ritual every day.
Macaw Clay Lick - A Water Cooler For Chewing The Fat?
Because landing on an open patch of ground allows the Macaws and the other birds to be open to predators, they will often hang around in the trees surrounding the Macaw Clay Lick before they dive in for dinner, er, breakfast. But they don't just sit in the trees, quietly. They squawk and babble and otherwise make a lot of noise. Noise that can be heard hundreds of feet away. Noise that some believe to be an exchange of information - are the birds chatting? Only they know for sure.
What makes it an even more incredible spectacle to witness is the shear colors. The feathers of these Macaws are bright blue and red while other birds bring in other colors to the mix creating an amazing show of vibrant movement across the clay lick. And if a predator does show up - look out for the most spectacular view you've ever witnessed as hundreds of tropical birds all leap into the air at once. Truly incredible!.
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