Alternative name: Water Ouzel
- Cinclus mexicanus
Identification
L. 7-8 1/2" (18-22 cm)
- Uniform slate-gray
- Wren-shaped with stubby tail
- Yellowish feet
Juvenile:
- Paler overall
- Mottled underparts
Distribution
From Alaska including Aleutian Islands through western Canada, USA, Mexico and Central America to Panama. Northern population move to lowlands in winter.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies[2]:
- C. m. unicolor:
- Aleutian Islands to Alaska, western Canada and western US
- C. m. mexicanus:
- Highlands of northern and central Mexico
- C. m. anthonyi:
- C. m. ardesiacus:
- Mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama
Habitat
The American Dipper is most often seen in clear, fastrunning mountain streams.
Behavior
When standing on a rock in or near the stream, they often "bob" up and down.
Breeding
Nest is large but normally well hidden[1]
Diet
Food mainly consist of invertebrates living in streams. Dippers often disappear under the surface searching for food.
Vocalization
Song: A loud, bubbling song that carries over the noise of rapids.
Call: A sharp zeet
References
- Howell & Webb, 1995. A guide to the birds of Mexico and northern Central America. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198540124
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2023) American Dipper. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 December 2023 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/American_Dipper
External Links
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