White-throated Dipper

Cinclus cinclus

Genus · Dippers Family · Dippers
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
River

Look for a dark bird perched on a streamside rock. Its sharp 'zit-zit' call is often easier to hear than to see above the rushing water.

White-throated Dipper
Stats
Wingspan25–30 cm
Weight50–75 g
Length17–20 cm
Lifespan wild3–8 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size4–5 eggs
Incubation16–18 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourTerritorial

Diet: Insectivore

🦀Crustaceans
🐟Fish
🦗Insects
🐛Larvae
🐚Mollusks

Habitat

🌊 Marine🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

Dippers are the only group of songbirds that regularly dive and 'fly' underwater, using their wings to swim against strong currents while hunting.

About

A plump bird of fast-flowing mountain streams and stony rivers. It is unique among perching birds for its aquatic lifestyle. It is dark brown with a brilliant white 'bib' on the throat and breast. Dippers depend on clean, oxygen-rich water. They are year-round residents in much of Europe.

Behaviour

The Dipper is famous for 'dipping'—a rhythmic bobbing of the body while perched. It can dive into freezing water and 'walk' along the riverbed. It uses its wings to stay submerged while searching for insect larvae. It nests in mossy domes tucked into crevices near or over the water.

Similar species

Eurasian Wren
🐦
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes
Grey Wagtail
🐦
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
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