Dipper

Dipper

Slightly larger than the common house sparrow, the dipper has short wings and a short tail. The common dipper, found throughout Europe, has brown plumage with a white breast and throat. With waterproof plumage the dipper spends a tremendous amount of time in and around water. The dipper is often seen wading through shallow streams, searching for food. Dippers use their wings to help propel their bodies through the water. They feed on aquatic animals such as insect larvae, minnows and mollusks. [BM] {FW}