# American Dipper (*Cinclus mexicanus*) The American Dipper is a small bird that loves to dive into rivers and streams. It has a round body and a cheerful song that sounds like bubbling water. These birds are great swimmers and can even walk underwater! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions, Wetlands - **Also known as:** Water Ouzel ![American Dipper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/American_Dipper.jpg&width=800) Photo: dominic sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Dipper.jpg) ## Appearance The American Dipper is a stout, slate-gray bird with a short tail and a plump body. It has distinct white flashes on its eyelids, visible when it blinks. Juveniles often display a browner head and mottled grey plumage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Cinclidae - **Genus:** Cinclus ## Interesting facts - American Dippers sometimes build their dome-shaped nests hidden right behind waterfalls. - Baby dippers are ready to dive and swim for food just a few weeks after hatching! - Their loud, bubbly song can be heard over the rush of even the fastest rivers. - This is the only songbird in North America that dives and swims underwater to hunt! ## Special abilities - **River Walker:** American Dippers can walk along stream bottoms using strong feet to grip rocks, that helps them forage for food against the current. - **Underwater Goggles:** American Dippers have a clear nictitating membrane that acts like goggles, helping them see clearly while submerged. - **Nostril Seal:** American Dippers can close their nostrils tightly, preventing water from entering their nose while diving for prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-18 cm - **Wingspan:** 23-28 cm - **Weight:** 0.045-0.065 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-5 - **Incubation:** 14-17 days ## Diet & Feeding These amazing birds eat aquatic insects and small fish found in fast-moving rivers. - **Primary Foods:** Mayfly nymphs, Caddisfly larvae, Stonefly larvae, Small fish, Tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Caddisfly Larvae (*Hydropsyche californica*) — Primary food source found clinging to river rocks. - **Eats:** Cutthroat Trout (*Oncorhynchus clarkii*) — Consumes small fry and eggs from the riverbed. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common avian predator in their mountainous habitats. - **Eaten by:** [American Mink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-mink) (*Mustela vison*) — A stealthy riparian mammal that preys on adults and chicks. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Dipper? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Dipper? 14-18 cm ### What is American Dipper's wingspan? 23-28 cm ### How much does American Dipper weigh? 0.045-0.065 kg ### How long does American Dipper live? 5-8 years ### How fast can American Dipper move? 40 km/h ### What does American Dipper eat? These amazing birds eat aquatic insects and small fish found in fast-moving rivers. ### Where is American Dipper usually found? Mountain regions, Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Saxman Totem Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saxman-totem-park) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Sitka National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sitka-national-historical-park) — US · National Park - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Englishman River Falls Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/englishman-river-falls-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Giant Forest Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/giant-forest-lodge-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see American Dipper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-dipper) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [American Dipper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-dipper)