Water Ouzel
American Dippers are commonly found perched on a rock in the middle of a rushing mountain stream. A stocky, medium-sized gray bird (5.5-8 in), they're constantly bobbing up and down. They catch aquatic insects by diving, swimming, or walking in streams. An extra eyelid enables them to see underwater.
Dippers can be found year-round in fast-moving, unpolluted mountain streams in northwestern North America.
Did you know? Dippers are able to survive in cold water during the winter due to their low metabolic rate, extra oxygen-carrying capacity in their blood, and a thick coat of feathers.
Hard - can be difficult to spot.
They may be few in number or not readily visible
(for example, underground).
Forests are large areas of trees growing close
together.
Mountains are very high areas of land with
steep sides leading to a peak. They are often connected
to other mountains as part of a mountain range.
Wetlands are low-lying areas that are covered by
water all or most of the time and support a variety of
aquatic plants. This habitat includes rivers, streams,
lakes, ponds, bogs, and marshes.