The American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus

formerly known as the water ouzel

Identification Tips:

Length: 5.75 inches

Slender bill

Slate-gray body with slightly brown head

Frequently bobs up and down

Short tail

Pale legs

Male and female appear very similar

Juveniles are paler gray with white lines at outer edge of feathers

Found along streams in mountains-often feeds under water

Click here to read what John Muir had to say about his favorite.bird.

DIPPER TAXONOMY

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Aves

Order - Passeriformes

Suborder - Passeri

Family (Sub-Family)  - Cinclidae

Genus - Cinclus - the generic name of dippers, literally means a bird that has the habit of moving its tail.

Species (SubSpecies) - Cinclus mexicanus