Wildlife
Dippers have evolved a superb ability to hunt underwater. Holding their wings outstretched, they stabilize their weight and walk along the bottom of fast running rivers or streams. Dippers feed on a wide range of aquatic invertebrates and fish and are found throughout most of Europe and the Middle East.
Dippers are named for the bobbing and dipping movements they make whilst perched. They have a distinctive white throat and breast against their dark brown-black plumage. A flash of their specialised white eyelids, used to protect the eyes when submerged, provides further identification if needed.
Did you know?
Dippers can remain under water for up to 30 seconds.
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Dipper debut
Chris Watson goes in search of a sound that has eluded his microphones for 30 years.
Chris Watson goes in search of a sound that has eluded his microphones for 30 years.
Tough love
A dipper chick makes a Herculean effort to survive the sluice.
A dipper chick makes a Herculean effort to survive the sluice.
A dip too far
Fledging carries extra perils for sluice-nesting dippers.
Fledging carries extra perils for sluice-nesting dippers.
Dipping and diving
Dippers are one of the few birds able to dive to the river bed.
Dippers are one of the few birds able to dive to the river bed.
Dipper dale
Jonny Keeling waxes lyrical about the dippers of Lathkill Dale.
Jonny Keeling waxes lyrical about the dippers of Lathkill Dale.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Dipper can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Mediterranean, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales, Ynys-hir nature reserve. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Dipper distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Year assessed: 2009
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus), also known as the European Dipper or just Dipper, is an aquatic passerine bird found in Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. The species is divided into several subspecies, based primarily on colour differences, particularly of the pectoral band. The White-throated Dipper is Norway's national bird.
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Coastal
Estuaries
Lakes and ponds
Rivers and streams
Helpless young
Adapted to swimming
Carnivorous
Hierarchical
Adapted to flying
Acoustic communication
Monogamous
Moulting
Egg layer
Parental investment
Polygynous
Territorial
Visual communication