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Nature's Solace
Celebrating Nature in the Pacific Northwest
American Dipper or the Water Ouzel - Taricha granulosa
A songbird who is at home in fast moving rivers and streams, swims, dives for food,
walks under the water, lands on rocks mid-stream, and even flies through waterfalls to
reach the nest hidden behind the falls - a most unusual bird. It's no wonder that John
Muir called her the "water ouzel".
Muir devoted Chapter 13 in his book "The Mountains of California" to this bird. "He is the mountain streams' own darling, the hummingbird of blooming waters, loving rocky ripple-slopes and sheets of foam as a bee loves flowers... No cañon is too cold for this little bird, none too lonely, provided it be rich in falling water."
This dipper was seen at the edge of the Elwha river. The river was flowing quite swiftly while the dipper repeatedly dove, swam
("flying" underwater using its wings), floated and caught a meal. I once saw a dipper catch his meal in the air, then eat it while floating in the middle of the river., like a duck. Similar to ducks, the dipper molts all of its flight feathers at once in the late summer, rendering him/her flightless during this time. The American Dipper can survive in cold waters thanks to extra oxygen-carrying capacity in its blood, a low metabolic rate
and an extra thick coat of feathers that includes a thin white line of feathers on the eyelid, which give off a flash of white when blinking. Note the white eyelid in the photo.
In most cases, dippers are monogamous. While the female chooses the nest site, both sexes build the nest and care for their young of 4-5 chicks. There may be two broods. The nests, facing the water, may be found on large boulders, cliff ledges, under an overhanging dirt bank and even behind waterfalls. the chicks will be fed and cared for by the parent for c. 5.5 weeks after leaving the nest at age 2 1/2 weeks.
Why do dippers dip? Their name comes from their continual bobbing up and down motion. One theory is that the repetitive dipping against the background of turbulent water helps to conceal them from predators. Another theory is that it helps them to find their prey.
The dipper's main prey includes larvae of caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies, midges, and mosquitoes found in habitat such as. streambeds with coarse gravel and cobblestone.
Non-breeding adult - note yellowish bill and may have barred front plumage. Breeding plumage is overall grayish brown and the bill is all dark.
Juvenile with barred underparts and yellowish bill. This photo was take at a fish hatchery near Sequim where there was a nest.
Dippers need to sing loudly to be heard above the noise of rushing water and rapids.
Listen to their song
Range Map
Resources:
Audubon
All About Birds
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
Sierra Club
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