My trip in the Sierra's ended with an amazing encounter with an American dipper (also called thewater ouzel). It wasn't my first time seeing this funny, bobbing bird. Quite a few years ago I encountered one on Issaquah Creek in a very secluded place along the water. I was with my UW class at the time and had no binoculars on me but in the distance, standing on a rock, was a stunted, plump black bird. It was peering down into the clear, rushing water and then it was gone, swimming unseen. I had never seen a dipper before this but I knew exactly what it was, without a bird book or binoculars, just based on the bird's unique feeding habits and silhouette. |
| American dipper with food, photo by Kelly Wohlwend |
American dippers are the only song birds in North America that can actually swim. They have adapted to utilize a food source that most other birds can't take advantage of...macroinvertebrates in fresh water streams. Their diet is mostly these small (and sometimes large) insect larvae, such as stoneflies and mayflies, and they also hunt for worms and sometimes small fish. American dippers are very accurate and precise and they have to be, since what they're searching for is small and usually hiding under slimy rocks. Flapping their wings like a penguin, they fly through the ice cold streams. A think layer of down feathers keeps them warm like a wool sweater with an oily, waterproof jacket of durable feathers on the outside. Since these feathers take quite a beating, given the rather harsh environment they forage in, they are shed after each summer.
Check out this fun video from National Geographic to watch a dipper diving!
American dipper video
You might be wondering how a bird could see underwater and not need nose plugs. American dippers come equipped with built in goggles, a nictitating membrane that covers the eyes and tiny scales that clamp shut over the nostrils. Now I wish I came equipped with those convenient features.
When I learned about this secret nest, I was really excited to see the birds, but weary at the same time. I am hesitant to visit birds that have nests because the presence of people can have a profound affect on nesting birds. The parents may be spooked and not feed the young or shy away from the nest, leaving the babies without food. A lot can go wrong, that's why it's important to keep a distance and not stay too long. If you notice the bird is in any distress back away and leave. This American dipper had chosen a very interesting place to build her nest (and the females are the ones that build the beautiful, dome shaped nest). It was in an artificial waterfall that was built in a parking lot where tourists tend to stop and take pictures.
Behind the protection of the waterfall were 4 fluffy, gray balls huddled in a woven nest of moss and grasses. They were silent the entire time, patiently waiting for mom to return with food. American dippers generally build their nests behind flowing water to protect their young from predators.
When mom arrived to the waterfall, she looked around, bobbing her entire body and with each bob, turning her head. It is a very characteristic feature of dippers and might I add, super cute. I only watched her return to the nest once before I left. I didn't want to disturb the birds too much so I promptly left. On my way out of the Sierra's, I thought I would visit the birds one more time, staying more at a distance. I only stayed a few minutes until a family showed up to take pictures by the waterfall. Mom hadn't arrived, hopefully she was off hunting and upon her return her nest area would be free and clear of people. The family probably had no idea that 4 cute little puff balls were sitting quietly in their woven globe, waiting for a meal, fresh from the icy stream.
References:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_dipper/id
http://birds.audubon.org/birds/american-dipper
http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/birds/american-dipper.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_dipper
https://watershed.ucdavis.edu/education/classes/files/062809082257-32-FLOG_Dipper.pdf
