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White-throated Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
: "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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Physical description |
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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.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See
White-throated Dipper at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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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 southwards
during the northern 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.
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Sightings |
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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.
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Photos |
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Race "aquaticus"
This race is also called the "South European Dipper".
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ADULT |
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Distant, near-lateral view of a male White-throated Dipper in
its favourite habitat, near a fast-flowing creek
[Prümzurlay, Eifel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, August 2014]
Distant, near-lateral view of a male White-throated Dipper in
its favourite habitat, near a fast-flowing creek
[Prümzurlay, Eifel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, August 2014]
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.
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Food, Diet |
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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.