Cinclus mexicanus
(American
Dipper)
Physical
Description:
7-8 1/2" (18-22 cm). Slate gray with short
tail and browner head. Juveniles have white edgings on underparts.
Song:
Repeated variety of phrases: high pitched
whistes, trills, etc. Call is a loud dzheet.
Distribution:
Resident from portions of Alaska and western
Canada, south in mountains to southwestern South Dakota, and further south to southern
California, highlands of Mexico, and western Panama.
Habitat:
Found up to treeline along montane streams,
especially along swift-flowing water. Found less frequently along mountain ponds and
lakes. In winter, occasionally found along rocky seacoasts.
Diet:
Feeds on adult insects and their larvae (e.g.,
caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies, mosquitos, and water beetles). Also eats clams, snails,
and some trout fry.
Ecology:
Solitary except during nesting season. Nests on
rock in stream, on cliff face, or behind waterfall. Adapted for semi-aquatic foraging.
Walks, swims, or dives in or under water, and walks on stream bottoms while foraging.
Characteristic dipping behavior upon alighting may signal mate.
3-6 eggs (usualy 4-5),
for 15-17 days. Young are altricial, are tended by both adults,
and leave nest at 24-25 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPBH01010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5 |
| National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.