Meet the American Dipper
Posted By admin on January 29, 2010
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
MORE INFORMATION:
Wy’east Book Shoppe & Art Gallery,
67195 E Hwy 26, Welches.
Open M-Sa, 9am.-9pm.; Sun, 11am-8pm.
503-622-1623, www.wyeast-online.com.
Brochures, maps, guide books, visitor information. Wi-fi and internet.
EXPLORE MORE:
Wildwood Park & Cascade Streamwatch
South side of Hwy 26, just east of mile-marker 39. Day-use facility nestled in the forested foothills along the spectacular Wild & Scenic Salmon River. The Wildwood Recreation Area is a BLM day-use-only area. The picnic sites, boardwalk and Cascade Stream Watch areas are all handicap accessible. $3 per car entrance fee. Wildwood Recreation Area closes at dusk. To Reserve a camping area or picnic shelter, visit http://www.reserveusa.com
65670 E Hwy 26,
Welches, Oregon 97067
503-622-3696 or 503-375-5646
Cascade Streamwatch
OF INTEREST:
A delightful children’s book about the American Dipper is available: Title: A Singer in the Stream – and you can purchase here: http://www.boredfeet.com/order.php
Being quite interested in your dipper bird article, it brought back memories of the river bank we lived by as a kid. I couldn’t remember what their song sounded like so got a sample here http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Dipper/sounds
This bird was always a friendly sort and would work in the water near you if you stayed still. Many times I’ve seen them fly to their nest… usually where the moss covered rocks are dripping water.
Thanks for jogging all those memories.