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19

White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) Alternate name(s): "European Dipper", "Dipper" German name(s): "Wasseramsel", "Eurasische Wasseramsel" Size: ca. 18 cm; wing span 25.5-30 cm Weight: 45-75 g

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Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description White-throated Dippers are rotund, short-tailed birds. Their plumage is mostly grey-brown, with brown head and nape of the neck and slate-grey upperparts. The front is white, while the wings and tail are brown. The bill is dark-grey.

Taxonomy, classification See White-throated Dipper at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed based on sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to the ebird.org website. The global distribution of the White-throated Dipper is available HERE . There are at least 13 races of White-throated Dippers, which altogether populate parts of Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent (for details see a field guide). Many birds from the northern parts of their range migrate South during winter, but otherwise the species is sedentary. In Europe, including the British Isles, White-throated Dippers are found as permanent residents in all hilly or mountainous regions. In Denmark, most of Finland and in the Baltic states they are winter visitors. Except in their wintering grounds, they are not found in low-lying country due to a lack of fast-flowing water. White-throated Dippers have a strong preference for habitats around fast-flowing creeks, usually with dense vegetation, often near rapids.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "aquaticus" We have first seen a White-throated Dipper, race "aquaticus", at the rapids of the Prüm River, Prümzurlay, in the Eifel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, in August 2014.

Photos

Race "aquaticus"

This race is also called the "South European Dipper".

ADULT

Distant near-lateral view of a White-throated Dipper
[Prümzurlay, Eifel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, August 2014]

Behaviour

White-throated Dippers are the only species of passerine birds known to us that specialize in hunting on, in and even under water.

This unusual specialization leads to another peculiarity of the species. While moulting, White-throated Dippers, although capable of flight, will be secretive and will stay near the richest hunting grounds in their territories.

Food, Diet

White-throated Dippers feed on both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, larvae, molluscs and other small animals. Aquatic species are usually caught in fresh water, but White-throated Dippers have also been seen in coastal areas.

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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