I spotted this White-throated Dipper (Cinculus cinclulus) on Sunday on the Ammer River in Oberammergau, Germany. This little bird, which is about 7 inches in length (18 cm) is also known as the European Dipper or simply a dipper.
Remarkably this bird walks on the stones on the bottom of a moving stream against the current, with its head downwards to locate prey, according to an article on oiseau-birds.com. According to this report, the current’s force against the bird’s bowed back keeps it on the river bed as it walks, propelled by wing movements. Of note, the White-throated Dipper is the national bird of Norway, according to Wikipedia.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
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I almost didn’t see him. Great capture, Mike.
Fantastic to see this handsome dipper, Michael, and fascinating how it stays upright in the force of the current.
Thanks Mike! Fun to see a bird I never saw before!
Lovely bird.
Amazing! Thanks for finding him and telling us about him!