DSC2270 Dipper.. - a photo on Flickriver

DSC2270 Dipper..

            Dipper - Cinclus Cinclus
aka Water Ouzel

Dippers are members of the genus Cinclus in the bird family Cinclidae, named for their bobbing or dipping movements. They are unique among passerines for their ability to dive and swim underwater.

They have a characteristic bobbing motion when perched beside the water, giving them their name. While under water, they are covered by a thin, silvery film of air, due to small bubbles being trapped on the surface of the plumage.

Dippers are found in suitable freshwater habitats in the highlands of the Americas, Europe and Asia. In Africa they are only found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. They inhabit the banks of fast-moving upland rivers with cold, clear waters, though, outside the breeding season, they may visit lake shores and sea coasts.

The high haemoglobin concentration in their blood gives them a capacity to store oxygen greater than that of other birds, allowing them to remain underwater for thirty seconds or more, whilst their basal metabolic rate is approximately one-third slower than typical terrestrial passerines of similar mass. One small population wintering at a hot spring in Suntar-Khayata Mountains of Siberia feeds underwater when air temperatures drop below −55 °C (−67 °F).

Dippers are completely dependent on fast-flowing rivers with clear water, accessible food and secure nest-sites. They may be threatened by anything that affects these needs such as water pollution, acidification and turbidity caused by erosion. River regulation through the creation of dams and reservoirs, as well as channelization, can degrade and destroy dipper habitat.

Dippers are also sometimes hunted or otherwise persecuted by humans for various reasons. The Cyprus race of the white-throated dipper is extinct. In the Atlas Mountains dippers are claimed to have aphrodisiacal properties. In parts of Scotland and Germany, until the beginning of the 20th century, bounties were paid for killing dippers because of a misguided perception that they were detrimental to fish stocks through predation on the eggs and fry of salmonids.

Population:

UK breeding:

6,200-18,700 pairs

Taken on: March 2, 2023

Tags:

Dipper

Dippers

Ouzels

Water-Birds

Water Ouzel

Waterways

Wildlife.

Wildbirds

Wildlife Photography

Avian

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Countryside

Reservoirs

River Birds

Streams

Nature

Nature Photography

Nikon

Jeff Lack Photography

Ornithology « less

Sets appears in: • Dipper

Groups appears in: • Birds • Bird Lovers more » • Birds , Birds Birds • Unlimited Birds • BIRDPIX (3/day) • Birds of Britain and Ireland • WelshFlickrCymru • Bird and Nature Photography • Excellence In Avian Photography (EIAP) -- INVITED IMAGES ONLY !! • Wings Of The World • Birds of the British Isles • British wild birds • The Worlds Best Nature, Wildlife, And Macro Photography • Bird Watching Group (BWG): Post 1 : Award 2 • Beautiful Birds • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • Birds and Wildlife UK • BBC Wales Nature & Landscapes • BIRDS - OISEAUX - AVES (POST 1 / COMMENT 1) • Bird Watchers • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Feathers+Beaks=Birds (P2 / C2) • Wales Online Photography Flickr Group • Birding In The Wild • En armonía con la Naturaleza • Nikon Nature Photography • Birds birds birds birds! • Birds UK • Avian Photography • Birds Birds Birds ! (Check out the new discussion) • Birdshare • National Geographic Wild Life • Best Wildlife Photos -Animals,Insects!(NO PEOPLE/PET/BUILDINGS) • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • Wales Birders • BirdWatching Magazine • the RSPB • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Birds Worldwide ! • BirdTrack • RSPB Love Nature • World of Birds • *Specialist Nature & Wildlife Photographers* (P1 - A2)CLOSED FRO • UK - Wildlife & Nature • Outstanding Bird Photography - P1 - A3 (Admin Invite Only) • Great British Wildlife • AWESOME BIRDS ! (Award 2 Please) • Nikon WILDLIFE & NATURE • Uk birdwatchers • Wild Bird Photography • Welsh Wildlife Group • Best Bird Photographers • Spectacular Wild Bird Photos • MAD about BIRDS! • European Birds and Wildlife • FIELD GUIDE OF BIRDS • The Best Wildlife Photography on Planet Earth. • Avian Wonders • Eblouissante Nature / Brilliant Nature - P1/C2 - No People • Flickr Birds • Incredible Bird Photography • N-Photo Mag • RSPB Cymru Photo Group • Birding World • BIRDWATCHING & WILDLIFE magazine • THE WORLD OF BIRDS • EXPLORE *** NATURE THE WILD NATURE *** • CREATURES IN THEIR HABITATS • Inside Wildlife Magazine • Birding for everyone! (Field Guide of the World) • Best Birds Worldwide • God's Birds • The World of Birds • Taken in Wales • Birds And Nature Of Britian • Stunning wildlife • Birds..wild birds field guide of Britain • Birdwatching in the World • Worldwide Birds (opted out 30/60). • Nikon Wildlife, Flowers and the Beauty of Nature • The Best of British Birds and Wildlife • Birdier • Specialists' Choice Nature & Wildlife (P1 - A2) CLOSED FROM 22/ • The Wonder of Waterbirds « less

Stats: 3,940 views / 88 comments