Over 650 bird species including 25 parrot species, 200 mammal species, 90 frog species, 1,200 butterfly species and 10,000 species of higher plants are protected within this reserve. The Tambopata Research Center is situated adjacent to the world's largest known clay lick, or "colpa." This offers a unique opportunity to observe one of the world's most colorful wildlife spectacles. More than a dozen parrot species and Macaws come here to nibble on the clay, a vital but mysterious part of their diet. The Tambopata Research Center is an excellent headquarters for in depth explorations of Amazonian nature and wildlife.