Discovery Station Amazonia

The macaw beak – a real multifunctional tool

There are over 350 different parrot species in the world. These species might look very different, but what they all have in common is their typical, short, strong, curved beak made of keratin.

The upper part of the beak is connected to the skull with a movable joint, which is why parrots can open their lower beak and their upper beak (craniofacial kinesis), allowing for greater mobility and leverage. In comparison, other bird groups and all mammals can only move the lower jaw.

The strong muscles for chewing and the leverage of the jaw bone result in a tremendous bite force, which helps them to crack the hardest nuts, but also serves them as climbing hooks or for gouging out hollows in trees.

Clay licks in South America

Clay licks are found in the tropical rainforests of South America, in particular the Amazon. These are natural, vegetation-free areas along river banks or embankments that are regularly visited by numerous animal species, especially macaws and other birds to feed on the clay.

Why do macaws eat clay?

• It is presumed that it neutralises natural toxins that are ingested with their food.
• The clay is also a source of minerals.
• The clay licks are also a social meeting point for the birds.