One of the most remarkable birds that you will ever encounter or seek to locate is the water ouzel or the amazing American Dipper.
This is a bird that is most related to the thrush and other species can be found all over the world.
The remarkable and uncommon birds can be found along fast flowing mountain streams of the west with exposed rocks and logs. Its modus operandi is to perch upon these rocks and logs in order to dive for aquatic insect larvae.
This stocky, dark gray bird has bright white eyelids that will draw your attention to it and tends to build moss covered nest along the water's edge from six to thirty feet over the water. It is very streamlined with a short tail and actually swims underwater in order to capture prey. Surprisingly, it can hold its breath for up to thirty seconds, and has excellent insulation for cold water weather hunting, including oil glands. You will know it, as it bobs its body up and down while foraging along streams. It has a nictitating membrane on its eyes, similar to goggles, which raptors are also equipped with in order to protect its eyes from dust articles.
The nest is globular with a side entrance incubated only by the female, with a clutch size of two to four white eggs
The dipper is a fabulous indicator of water health, for if there are no available insects and larvae it will move elsewhere until it is assured of a good food supply.
Included is a video, so that if you hear the bird, you'll know that you are near in order to observe its entertaining and redeeming qualities, as well as observe some of its hunting prowess.
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