American Dipper

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The American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), the lone member of the family Cinclidae found in the United States, also holds the title as the only aquatic songbird in the country.

The top picture shows a dipper just about to take a dip in a cold mountain stream. Like many of the diving ducks, dippers dive into the water and forage for their meals. In shallow streams they mimic shorebird behavior, wading along the stream bed pecking for food.

Their diet consists primarily of aquatic insects, however they will also consume small fish and salmon eggs when they are available.

Water conditions, rather than altitude, determines their habitat. They feel equally at home in high elevation Rocky Mountains rivers and low elevation coastal streams, as long as the water is clean.

American Dippers are medium sized birds with dull gray to brown feathers. At rest, they look a bit plump.

Both sexes sing freely, for a variety of reasons, including marking territory and attracting mates.

Most dippers reside year round in their preferred streams.

What little migration they might practice usually consists of moving up or down stream, depending on weather and food conditions.

© 2007. Patricia A. Michaels