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American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Dipper (Cinclidae)
American Dipper Breeding Adult Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Dark yellow-brown to umber.
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown Color: Dark Gray
  • Forehead Color: Dark Gray
  • Nape Color: Dark Gray
  • Throat Color: Dark Gray
  • Cere color: No Data
American Dipper: Breeding Adult

Body

  • Length Range: 18-20 cm (7-8 in)
  • Weight: 6 g (0.2 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: Gray
  • Underparts: Dark Gray
  • Upperparts: Dark Gray
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
American Dipper Breeding Adult Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Rapidly beating wings., Strong direct flight.
  • Wingspan Range: 23 cm (9 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Pointed Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Dark Gray
  • Under Tail: Dark Gray
  • Leg Color: Pink-gray
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Family Dipper (Cinclidae)_blue
Species Cinclus mexicanus
Length7 - 8 Inches
Wingspan9 Inches

American Dipper

American Dipper: Small, wren-like bird, dark gray with short, cocked tail, white eyelids that flash when blinked. Straight black bill. Wades, swims and dives for food. Feeds on aquatic insects, larvae, clams, snails, crustaceans, and small fish. Strong direct flight on rapid wing beats.

● Song: "zzeip, zzreip, rreip"

● Foraging & Feeding: American Dipper: Feeds on insects, small fish, and fish eggs. Plunges into streams headfirst, propelling itself through the water (with or against the current) with wings. Often walks or runs along the streambed while submersed; also forages while wading.

● Breeding & nesting: American Dipper: Three to six white eggs are laid in a globe-shaped nest made of mosses with a side entrance. Nest is built close to water, on a rock ledge, riverbank, behind a waterfall, or under a bridge. Incubation ranges from 13 to 17 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: American Dipper: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Rapidly beating wings., Strong direct flight.
American Dipper: Breeding Adult
● Range & Habitat: American Dipper: Found from northern treeline in Alaska, throughout the Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevada, and as far south as Panama. Inhabits swift flowing mountain streams; less frequently found along mountain ponds and lakes. Occasionally appears on rocky coasts during winter.
BreedingMonogamous, May be polygamous
PopulationFairly common, but local
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight0.2 Ounces