White-throated Dipper

The White-throated Dipper, Cinclus cinclus, also known as the European Dipper or simply the Dipper, is a distinctive aquatic passerine. This plump bird, approximately 18 centimeters in length, is recognized by its rotund shape and short tail. Adults exhibit a brown head, slate-grey back with black mottling, and brown wings and tail. A striking white throat and upper breast lead into a warm chestnut band, which transitions to black on the belly and flanks. The bill is nearly black, with brown legs and irises.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-throated Dipper, look for its unique behavior of bobbing on rocks in fast-flowing streams. Note the white throat, chestnut band, and the contrast between the slate-grey back and black belly. Juveniles lack the chestnut band and are generally greyish brown.

Habitat

The White-throated Dipper is closely associated with clean, fast-running rivers and streams, as well as the lakes these watercourses feed into.

Distribution

This species is found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent. It is divided into several subspecies with variations in the color of the pectoral band.

Behaviour

The Dipper is known for its sudden, characteristic dips and its ability to dive and walk into water. It flies rapidly with a straight trajectory, often emitting a shrill 'zil, zil, zil' call. In winter, some individuals may move to lower altitudes or coastal areas when streams freeze.

Song & Calls

The male's song is sweet and wren-like, used during courtship displays along with a series of sharp metallic calls 'clink, clink' that differ from its usual call.

Breeding

White-throated Dippers are monogamous and territorial. They nest near water, often using natural or man-made structures. The nest is a dome with a side entrance, lined with stems, rootlets, and hair. Clutches typically contain 4-5 glossy white eggs, incubated by the female. Both parents feed the altricial young, which fledge after about 22 days.

Similar Species

The White-throated Dipper can be confused with other dipper species, but its white throat and chestnut band are distinctive.

Diet and Feeding

Dippers feed on aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and amphibians. They forage by diving and swimming underwater, using their wings to 'fly' beneath the surface.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the White-throated Dipper as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its wide range.

In the voice of David Attenborough: "The White-throated Dipper, a bird of the rushing streams, is a master of the aquatic realm. With its bobbing dance upon the river rocks and its remarkable ability to swim against the current, this bird captures the essence of the wild waterways it calls home."