American Dipper - Ross Feldner

The American dipper, previously known as the water-ouzel, was the favorite bird of famous naturalist John Muir. He dedicated an entire chapter in his book The Mountains of California to the ouzel.

The name "dipper" derives from its long legs, which it uses to bob its whole body up and down during pauses as it feeds on the bottom of fast-moving, rocky streams. Dippers actually walk under water!

This unique bird is a year-round resident and is frequently found near fast-flowing streams in the Western US, particularly in elevated mountainous areas. It is commonly observed perched on a rock in the middle of the stream, rhythmically moving up and down, or gliding close to the water's surface, tracing the meandering path of a creek instead of opting for direct routes over land.

It catches most of its food underwater including aquatic insects and their larvae, worms, snails and small fish.

Courtship includes male and females strutting and singing in front of the other bird.