Cinclidae

Cinclidae is a small family of passerine birds commonly known as dippers or water ouzels. They inhabit streams and rivers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, wherever fast, clean water occurs. The family contains the genus Cinclus, which includes several species such as the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus) and the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus). Dippers are typically resident or only locally migratory, and they often defend stretch of stream year-round.

Physically, dippers are compact, with rounded bodies, short wings, a relatively long tail, and strong legs. Plumage is generally dull brown or gray above and paler below, providing camouflage among stones and gravel. They possess a broad, sturdy bill and a robust physique suited to aquatic foraging. Their posture and bobbing behavior—frequent up-and-down movements—are characteristic of the group.

Behavior and diet: Dippers forage by walking along the bottoms of turbulent streams, probing crevices and pebble beds for aquatic insects, larvae, crustaceans, and occasionally small fish. They can swim underwater and resume feeding from the surface, and they often perch on rocks or vegetation between foraging bouts. Territorial and vocal, they defend feeding territories along preferred sections of a stream.

Breeding: Nests are typically placed in cavities, under overhangs, or in burrows near water, constructed from mud, plant fibers, and grasses and lined with moss or hair. Clutches usually contain two to six eggs; both parents incubate for roughly two weeks, and the young fledge after about two to four weeks.

Conservation: Most species are of least concern, but habitat degradation, pollution, and damming of streams threaten some populations. Their reliance on clean, fast-flowing water makes them useful indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.