American Dipper Identification

Adult

Chunky, round-bodied bird with a short tail. Adults are grayish brown overall. Breeding birds have an all dark bill.

Nonbreeding adult

Chunky, round-bellied bird with a short tail. Some nonbreeding adults can have barred underparts and a yellowish bill.

Adult

Often seen perched on rocks in the middle of a rushing stream where they frequently bob up and down.

Juvenile

Chunky, round-bellied bird with a short tail. Juveniles look similar to adults, but have barred underparts and a yellowish bill.

Adult

Nonbreeding adult

Grayish brown bird at home in rushing streams where it forages underwater for aquatic insects.

Adult

Often holds its short tail up and bounces up and down on rocks in rushing streams.

Adult

Builds domed nests on cliff ledges, behind waterfalls, on boulders, and on dirt banks or under bridges, but always above or close to fast moving streams.