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
