cinclus

Cinclus is a genus of small, stout passerine birds in the family Cinclidae, commonly known as dippers. Members occur across the temperate and high-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting fast-flowing streams and rivers in Europe, Asia, and North America. The best-known species include the European white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus) and the North American American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus).

Dippers are characterized by a compact body, short tail, strong legs, and a thick bill. Plumage tends to be brownish or grayish above with paler underparts, and several species display a distinctive pale throat patch. They are notable for foraging in and around water: they walk along river stones and can submerge to capture aquatic insects and larvae, sometimes diving for brief periods. They feed year-round on cold-water invertebrates and small prey, and nest close to water in bank crevices, rock cavities, or dense vegetation, lining the nest with moss and grasses. Breeding is typically monogamous within pairs, with a clutch comprising several eggs; both parents help incubate and rear the young, which fledge after a few weeks.

Conservation status varies by species and region. Some populations are stable, while others decline due to habitat degradation, water pollution, and alterations to stream flow from damming and climate change. Overall, the genus Cinclus represents a specialized adaptation to aquatic foraging among passerines, with persistence closely tied to the health of cold, clean river ecosystems.