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White-throated Dipper

Cinclus cinclus

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Dippers
White-throated Dipper, photographed by Erik_Karits

Photo: Erik_Karits · Pixabay · Pixabay Content License (licence)

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Call and song

About the White-throated Dipper

Plump little gray bird found along unpolluted rivers and streams, almost always near running water. Bright white "bib" is present across vast majority of range, but a “dark morph” (all dark brown) exists in parts of Asian range. Mainly found in foothills and uplands, rarely in flatlands or coastal plains unless some running water is nearby. Usually encountered as singles feeding inconspicuously among rocks and pools; swims readily and even dives underwater. Often bobs persistently when standing, and flies strongly and low over the water, with whirring wingbeats. Loud, repetitive song is somewhat thrush-like, and carries well over the rushing water. Call is a dry “tzitzit.”

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 61 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.