Parent Feeding Juvenile Dipper
Parent Feeding Juvenile Dipper. Adult white-throated dipper feeding young with insects collected along the river. If you look closely you can spot a second baby dipper out of focus behind . Derbyshire Dales, Peak District National Park.
Join me on a Dipper Photography Workshop for an unmissable opportunity to photograph these charismatic birds along the crystal clear rivers of the Derbyshire Dales.
Parent Feeding Juvenile Dipper : More About the Dipper:
The White-throated dipper, also known as the European Dipper, is named after the way they dip up and down when perched. Dippers have evolved an incredible fishing technique allowing them to hunt underwater. Submerging themselves they can walk along the bottom of fast flowing rivers and streams using their outstretched wings to stabilise themselves against the strong currents. This unique ability makes it possible for them to hunt insects and small fish underwater for up to 30 seconds!
The white-throated dipper is a fascinating bird that can be found near fast-flowing streams and rivers throughout Europe. These small, plump birds are easy to identify thanks to their distinctive white throat and chestnut-brown plumage. Although the dipper isn’t the most striking bird, taken out of context they could easily be mistaken as a garden bird, they are incredibly charismatic seen bobbing up and down the fast flowing rivers of the Derbyshire Dales.
One of the most remarkable things about dippers is their incredible adaptation to aquatic life. They are one of the few songbirds that are able to dive and swim underwater in search of food, which mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae and freshwater shrimps. They can also walk and climb along the streambed, using their specially adapted claws and feathers to maintain their grip on slippery rocks.
Dippers are also known for their unique nesting habits. They build their nests in crevices, on ledges or under bridges close to the water, often using moss and grass to construct a dome-shaped structure with a side entrance. Both males and females take part in building the nest and caring for their young, which are fed a steady diet of insects and other small aquatic prey.
Unfortunately, white-throated dippers are facing a number of threats in the wild, including habitat destruction, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Conservation efforts are underway in many countries to protect these remarkable birds, including habitat restoration and the creation of protected areas. By working together, we can ensure that these unique and important species continue to thrive in the wild for generations to come.
Find more about the dipper here.