American Dipper

This little guy (or gal) has been causing quite a stir, as it's always a treat to see an American Dipper here. Seen down at Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park, on 22 November 2012. They are such fun birds to watch, as they do quick little knee bends and also walk under water to feed : )

"A chunky bird of western streams, the American Dipper is North America's only truly aquatic songbird. It catches all of its food underwater in swiftly flowing streams by swimming and walking on the stream bottom." From Cornell Labs' "All About Birds" website.

"This species, like other dippers, is equipped with an extra eyelid called a "nictitating membrane" that allows it to see underwater, and scales that close its nostrils when submerged. Dippers also produce more oil than most birds, which may help keep them warmer when seeking food underwater.

It is usually a permanent resident, moving slightly south or to lower elevations if necessary to find food or unfrozen water. The presence of this indicator species shows good water quality; it has vanished from some locations due to pollution or increased silt load in streams." From Wikipedia.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Dipper/id

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dipper