Cinclidae

Dippers are birds from the genus Cinclus in the family Cinclidae, characterized by their bobbing or dipping movements and unique ability to dive and swim underwater. They inhabit freshwater habitats in highland regions of the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with a presence in Africa limited to Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

These birds forage for invertebrates and small fish along fast-flowing streams, often diving beneath the water to search for food. Their diet mainly includes the larvae of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, as well as mollusks and crustaceans during winter.

Dippers establish linear breeding territories along rivers, which vary in length based on food availability. Nests are typically large, moss-based structures located near running water, with a clutch size of four to five eggs for northern species. After an incubation period of 16 to 17 days, the young are cared for by both parents and fledge within about 20–24 days. Dippers may raise multiple broods in a season, and their lifespan can reach over 10 years in some cases.