Upright Perching Water Birds

American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus
American Dipper thumbnail
Length: 8 in. (19 cm )
Found exclusively on rushing mountain streams, this amazing bird is usually seen bobbing up and down on rocks in streams or using its buzzy and fast flight to fly low over the water. It is usually solitary and spends much of its time searching for small fish and aquatic insects while it walks into or even under the water. The Dipper also can use its wings to \fly\ underwater to a depth of 20 ft 6 m) or more. Its domed nest is made of moss and vegetation and placed on a niche of a wet cliff face, bridge abutment or behind a waterfall or cascading stream.

The four-digit banding code is AMDI.


Cliffs / boulders
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View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: American Dipper
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 7, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/american-dipper

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). American Dipper. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/american-dipper

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "American Dipper". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/american-dipper

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "American Dipper". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 7 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/american-dipper

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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