Cinclidae - Dippers		Classification  Phylum: Chordata  Class: Aves  Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

This family of birds includes five species. They are found in North and South America, Asia, and Europe. They are usually found near rivers, streams, or lakes.

Dippers have plump bodies and are about 5-8 inches in length. They have straight, pointed bills; short, stubby wings; and a short, square or rounded tail. They are brown, gray, or black, and some species have white patches on their throat, chest, and head. Males and females look alike.

They have waterproof feathers and can dive and swim underwater for up to ten seconds. Dippers dive underwater and walk on the bottom as they probe for food. They eat crustaceans, insects, and insect larvae.

The American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) is the only species found in North America. It is found from Northern Alaska south through the mountains of the west. It lives near fast-moving streams. It is about eight inches in length and is gray with a short, stubby tail.

Cinclidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Breeds in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
White-throated Dipper - Cinclus cinclus White-capped Dipper - Cinclus leucocephalus American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus		Brown Dipper - Cinclus pallasii Rufous-throated Dipper - Cinclus schulzi