Identification - The American Dipper is a chunky all slate-gray bird about the size of a large sparrow. It has a brown tinge to its head, a short stubby tail and short wings. It bobs constantly even while standing in place. The dipper wades, dives, and even flies into swift streams to swim above and below water and to feed along the bottom. It almost always perches on boulders in the middle of the stream.
Morsels - The American Dipper will vigorously defend a stretch of stream as its territory, driving out all others of its kind. Pair-bonds between males and females can be short-lived, sometimes lasting only three weeks. It often builds its nest against the backs or sides of waterfalls. This allows its large moss nest to be kept healthy, and alive, from airborne water vapor from the falls.
