Experience One of the Amazon’s Greatest Wildlife Spectacles, Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick.

Manu Macaw Clay Lick or Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, the largest known clay lick in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. This impressive 10-meter-high (33 ft) and 400-meter-long (1,300 ft) clay cliff lies deep in the untouched Amazon, about 30 minutes from Blanquillo Lodge and eight hours by boat from Atalaya River Port. 

What is a Macaw Clay Lick?

Clay licks are natural mineral deposits found along riverbanks or exposed forest soil. These rare patches provide essential nutrients that are difficult to obtain elsewhere in the Amazon. While macaws and parrots are the stars of the show, clay licks also attract monkeys, tapirs, butterflies, and other wildlife—making them biodiversity hotspots.

Why Do Macaws and Parrots Visit the Clay Lick?

Birds like the Red-and-green Macaw and Chestnut-fronted Macaw flock to the clay lick for several fascinating reasons:

• Mineral Intake: The clay contains salts and minerals essential for their diet.
• Detoxification: Clay helps neutralize toxins from fruits and seeds consumed in the wild.
• Social Gathering: Scientists believe the clay lick also serves as a social hub where birds communicate and bond.

Despite the danger of predators like eagles, hundreds of macaws gather at the clay lick on clear mornings. They perch in nearby treetops, creating a loud and lively chorus before descending to feed in a flurry of color and sound—a truly spectacular scene.