The American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, (AKA Water Ouzel) is one of the special birds in the Cinclidae that has the skill of walking under water. These birds actually dive in and swim to the bottom where they can walk around and get invertebrates off of stream beds.
Most people see them when they see a bird bobbing on a rock in or near a stream.
Once in a while, their feeding habits backfires and a large fish will eat one.
Classification:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cinclidae
Genus: Cinclus
Species: C. mexicanus
Photos:
Wednesday, November 01 2006 - American Dipper - Blaney Creek
"I went out on my usual weekly drive around the local area which consists of the N end of 224th st. in Maple Ridge then Out to Pitt Lake in Pitt Meadows. It started off with the ducks which are in a scene I’ve shot dozens of times but the light is different again. Next is the American Dipper which is not afraid of me. This shot is at ISO 1600 because the bird is in full shadow. The image needed some noise reduction. Then the Stellar’s Jay in nice crisp winter plumage. This was followed up by Spike and his sister in a blueberry field on 224th. The Heron is in one of the Golden Ears blueberry fields in Pitt Meadows along with the tire and the cups and the golden (saturation enhanced) trees are closer towards the lake and off in the Polder. Finally we come to the pack llamas and pack goats. I’ve seen these people out on hikes before. This looks like a great idea."
Photo courtesy of rog45
American Dipper
noceiling.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-dipper.html
Photo courtesy of no ceiling
American Dipper
"A friend had very generously invited me to go along with him yesterday, exploring the area south of the city, in the Porcupine Hills, Foothills and Nanton area. The weather was incredible and the scenery breath-taking! Everything from flat grassland, to rolling hills and the Foothills, to the mountains. There were occasionally small patches of open water and we were lucky enough to see four American Dippers at various places. A small bird seen from a long distance = a heavily cropped photo that is STILL distant : ) The American Dipper is uncommon to common year-round in Alberta. The Dipper’s stout body, strong claws and thick feathers enable it to survive in frigid weather."
Photo courtesy of annkelliott
American Dipper, Natural Bridge, Field (BC, Canada), 16-Sep-06
"Not a great photo, but I was quite pleased as it was late in the day and there was very little light left. The only American Dipper I got to see really well."
Photo courtesy of Dave Appleton
Video:
Commentary:
DJB Photo Adventures: The American Dipper
To be able to survive in cold waters during the winter, the American Dipper has a low metabolic rate, extra oxygen-carrying capacity in its blood, and a thick coat of feathers. Unlike most other songbirds, but similarly to ducks, … Read more…
zavadildesign: Magical Mystery Diving Bird (solved: American Dipper)
North American Dipper (an endangered species dontcha know) due to the more predatory expansion of the artificially introduced neoconservasaurus which was developed in a media lab from the fossilized remains of aynrandypus-crapicus and … Read more…
Ed. Note: Actually - they are common throughout their range.
This is such a cool little bird and this one was catching hellgramites. Read more…
Feathery flashbacks: The best birds of 2008 (published 12-9-08 …
An American dipper was high on my wish list when we packed up the rental van for an old-fashioned family road trip last June. Our destination was South Dakota, and from pre-trip research I knew that dippers could be found in the Black … Read more…
Beginning The Year in Colorado
We came to a little bridge over a small stream and an American Dipper flew out from under the bridge to some cattails. It’s been since 1996 since I’ve seen a dipper. We came to a larger pond that had quite a bit of the water open (most … Read more…
Adams County Birding on Christmas Day
The American Dipper found by Bob Canter on 12/20 was about 30 yards downstream from the Lowell Blvd Bridge. Thanks much to Bob for finding and reporting the Dipper! I have only observed one other American Dipper in Adams County. … Read more…
