Wild About Wild Life

The American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, are an all time favorite bird among many and it’s no wonder because  few birds are as fun to watch as these little guys, and you will not find them on polluted waters. Dippers are also called “water ouzels,” and their Eskimo name, “anaruk kiviruk,” translates to “old woman sunk.”

Oregon's American Dipper

They are the only songbirds with the ability to dive straight into rushing water to feed on insects and not drown. They actually run and use their wings to “fly” along the bottom in search of insects and other tasty invertebrates. As their name implies, when perched on a rock of dry log above water, they do a funny little “bobbing” dance.

No, dippers do not have gills, they hold their breath while under the surface, and have flaps to cover their nostrils and keep water out of their lungs. They have to see underwater to seize the invertebrates they feed on. To be able to do this, dippers possess highly developed muscles in the iris of the eye that allow the curvature of the lens to change, accommodating differing refractive underwater conditions.

Dippers are also equipped with very heavy “coat” of down (insulation) between the rows of outer feathers, similar to ducks and other waterfowl. The down is excellent insulation and enables the birds to maintain normal body temperatures of more than 90 F when air temperatures are as low as -40 degrees F. 

 Usually, dippers’ nests are placed where water spray keeps the outer structures green and moist. The coarse inner grass resists moisture, so the inside remains relatively dry. Entrance to the nest is through a small hole, and some nests are used year after year.

The American Dipper’s nest is a globe-shaped structure with a side entrance, close to water, on a rock ledge, river bank, behind a waterfall or under a bridge. The normal clutch is 2-4 white eggs, incubated solely by the female, which hatch after about 15–17 days, with another 20–25 days to fledging. The male helps to feed the young.                   

It is usually a permanent resident, moving slightly south or to lower elevations if necessary to find food or unfrozen water. The presence of this indicator species shows good water quality; it has vanished from some locations due to pollution or increased silt load in streams. They even swim up-side-down.

**For more information on this wonder of nature, research here: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=306&osCsid=3e60af7a6c992d0c15ad6275fcdc8aef

The Birdhouse Guy