MT HOOD WILDLIFE

Who Does the Dip, Dip Dive?

The American Dipper

Many birds scour the edge of a stream looking for their next meal. The American Dipper takes this approach further by diving into the water for his dinner! Like its European counterpart (known as a Water Ouzel), the Dipper bobs its whole body up and down when pausing between dives into fast-moving, rocky streams and shallow lakes.

They have dense gray-brown feathers with a down undercoat. They also have a third eyelid and a larger preen gland at the base of their tail for waterproofing their plumage. Their blood can store more oxygen than other perching birds which allows them to remain underwater for up to 15 seconds.

Each of these adaptations let them dive into chilly waters and walk on the bottom of streams – fully submerged - feeding on insect larvae, periwinkles, eggs and small fish. The Dipper must be watchful though - this clever habit of diving and walking along the bottom of streams in search of food sometimes makes it the prey of larger fish.

They are usually permanent residents in the Mt Hood area, moving slightly south or to lower elevations if necessary to find food during the lean months or unfrozen water. Food is limiting for most of the year, as cold-fast streams are often relatively unproductive to begin with. The presence of this delightful bird indicates good water quality. Decreases in streamside shading, silt from agricultural and logging areas, and the input of fertilizers and toxins from cities and farmfields can reduce the abundance of macroinvertebrates. By keeping our streams clean you can help the American Dipper and many other species to have a healthy habitat in the Villages of Mt Hood.

Their year round song consists of high whistles or trills repeated a few times and their song resounds above the burble of the running streams. Nests are usually located on ledges above a swift-moving stream. Unlike most birds, Dippers will repair and reuse old nests because it is hard for them to find suitable nesting sites.

This surprising little bird will catch your eye – you can’t miss his busy bob, bob, dive action – and it is truly fascinating to watch the Dipper submerge and surface while scouring the rocks and streambeds for his supper.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH US. Do you have videos or pictures of the American Dipper? Please send your comments and pictures to our BLOG – we would love to see your pictures and hear your stories about these amazing birds.

Written by Amy Collen
Photo courtesy of Bill Sullivan.

 

 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

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