Powell, L. L.;Powell, T. U.;Powell, G. V. N.;Brightsmith, D. J.
Parrots take it with a grain of salt: Available sodium content may drive collpa (clay lick) selection in southeastern Peru
Biotropica
2009
Journal Article
41
279-282
Los Amigos;colpas;clay licks;macaws;soils;large spatial scales;geology;sodium;Tambopata Research Center;Reserva Nacional Tambopata
Soils from 18 parrot collpas (‘clay licks’) in southeastern Peru averaged four times more available sodium than uneaten control soils. Collpa soils contained marginally more clay than control sites and clay content was uncorrelated with available sodium content. Parrots may select and ingest soils based on available sodium content.