Macaws at the Clay Lick

Up before the dawn and sprinting into action, we headed out to see one of the sights I am most anticipating: brightly coloured macaws gathering to feed on dry, mineral-rich clay. It is one of the only sources of sodium for the birds and contains important minerals that help deal with the toxins they invest from their fruit-based diet.

 

The tiny patch of wall in the entire jungle that is the specific clay lick the macaws will choose to visit today. 

Our boat pulled up on a nondescript muddy shore and we jumped out into the muck, walking just a little ways down to where our guide said the macaws, parrots and parakeets would soon gather.

 

 

Delford delivered a short and excellent bird lecture, walking us thorough the six species of macaw and dozen species of parrots we had a chance to see. 

 

Apparently, there is an order to things. The parrots gather in the trees and begin looking out for predators like Harpy eagles. Soon the scarlet macaws and red and green macaws will also begin to gather high at the top of the canopy. Every type of bird has its own tree.

 

Blue headed parrot tree. 

Scarlet macaw tree.  

They travel in pairs as they're monogamous and mate for life, or in threes if they are still caring for their young.

 

 

Once the big macaws deem the situation secure, one bravely heads down to the clay. The others cautiously join it, one by one. While they feed, a sentinel stays behind in the canopy to sound the alarm and start an evacuation if a predator is spotted. 

 

The brave first scarlet macaw venturing on to the clay. 

 

 

And then it's go time!

 

 

Still keeping an eye on things. 

The parrots will join the macaws on the lick after a while. They didn't seem particularly welcome and stayed a small distance away from the macaws. 

 

Chestnut fronted macaw (green with white face), blue headed parrots, and scarlet macaws.

It seems it can get a little busy on the lick during rush hour.

We watched orange cheeked (hiding on the left), blue headed, dusky and mealy parrots eating small clumps of clay. 

 

 

With the earliest part of the morning behind us, we went back to camp to enjoy a gourmet breakfast - fried egg, fruit salad, crispy bacon! After chowing down, the boat zipped us back to the clay lick to see the next wave of visitors. 

After the scarlet and the red and green macaws, the blue and yellows take their turn. We watched well over a dozen congregate in the trees, carefully surveying their surroundings. 

 

 

 

Despite waiting patiently, the blue and yellows were not comfortable coming down to the clay and remained at a distance. There were two large vultures circling, which could have put our macaws on edge. There were a couple false alarms from the sentinel as they all scattered, circled and returned. 

Delford also pointed out a couple of toucans hanging out in the tree tops which the other birds consider predators as they prey on young birds or eggs. 

 

We were due back at camp, so returned, packed up and headed the 1.5 hours downstream to the main lodge. 

 

On the way back we spotted a couple pretty butterflies, a crane, and two Horned Screamers. 

 

 

 

Bye glamping!

 

At the lodge, we returned to our room and had time to freshen up before lunch. More to come in the afternoon!