PERU: Andes to Amazon ~ Day 7 (morning) Clay Lick

Our seventh day we rose very early to board our boat for the 30 minute ride to the Manquillo Clay Lick to see Red-and-Green Macaws (pictured above); Blue-headed, Orange-cheecked and Mealy Parrots; Dusky-headed, Cobalt-winged and Tui Parakeets; and possibly some other less common visitors.

A foggy morning quickly turned to a glorious sunrise as we made our way down the Madre de Dios River toward the lick.

Upon arrival we disembarked and walked along the boardwalk to the blinds. Parrots were already making some noise, so we quickly took our places inside the blind, with coffee and breakfast close at hand.

It wasn’t long before the Blue-headed Parrots let down their guard and came to the lick… followed by the more wary Orange-cheeked Parrots. The parakeets were all at the far end of the lick making noise, but not in photographable range.

The Red-and-Green Macaws were the last to join the party and put on quite a show as the squabbled over prime perching real estate.