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American Dipper

The Dipper is the only song bird which has adapted to survive and feed underwater. It only lives in fresh water and feeds mostly on aquatic insects and their larvae. Their blood contains high amounts of hemoglobin to oxygenate its blood for lengthy submersion in flowing water. It actually walks on the bottom of streams and uses its wings to aid in propelling itself forward underwater. It is seldom seen flying across land but usually flies up and down the stream.

Seeing Dippers is a good indication of a healthy stream for they live on aquatic insects which only live in unpolluted waters.

Near Little Hyatt Lake, Jackson Co., OR

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Uploaded on October 1, 2025
Taken on September 28, 2025