American Dipper

Adults have uniform slate-gray plumage with a slightly paler head and neck, and sometimes white eyelids that flash when blinking. Juveniles are paler gray with scaly-looking underparts and whitish throats.

Plump slate-gray body, short cocked tail, constant up-and-down bobbing motion, and association with rushing white-water streams.

Length: 14-20 cm (5.5-7.9 in), Wingspan: 23-25 cm (9-10 in), Weight: 40-70 g (1.4-2.5 oz).

A loud, high-pitched, piercing, metallic call that can be heard easily over the sound of rushing water; the song is a clear, musical wardle.

Aquatic insects and their larvae (such as caddisfly larvae, mayflies, and stoneflies), small fish, and fish eggs, obtained by foraging underwater.

Fast-flowing, clear mountain streams, rivers, and sometimes lakeshores in mountainous regions.

Permanent resident, though some individuals may move to lower elevations during harsh winter freezes.

Builds a bulky, dome-shaped mossy nest with a side entrance, typically placed on a cliff ledge, behind a waterfall, or under a bridge over water. Lays 4-5 white eggs.

Can be confused with other gray passerines near water, but its unique habit of bobbing up and down on rocks and diving directly into rushing water separates it instantly.

Acts as an important bioindicator of freshwater stream health due to its high sensitivity to water pollution and ecosystem changes.

Least Concern, with stable populations.

Look along fast-flowing, clear mountain streams and rocky rivers. They often bob up and down on rocks, which is their signature behavior.

The American Dipper is North America's only truly aquatic songbird, possessing specialized adaptations like nasal flaps to close nostrils underwater, extra eyelids to see beneath the surface, and dense plumage to stay warm.