About Cinclus mexicanus Swainson, 1827
The American dipper (scientific name Cinclus mexicanus Swainson, 1827) is a stocky grey bird. Its head is sometimes tinged with brown, and it has white feathers on its eyelids that make its eyes flash white when it blinks. On average, the species measures 16.5 cm (6.5 in) in length, has a 23 cm (9.1 in) wingspan, and weighs 46 g (1.6 oz). American dippers inhabit mountainous regions of Central America and western North America, ranging from Panama to Alaska. They are usually permanent residents, only moving slightly south or to lower elevations when they need to find food or unfrozen water. This species is an indicator of good water quality, and it has disappeared from some locations due to stream pollution or increased silt loads. American dippers defend linear territories along streams. In most of their habits, they closely resemble their European counterpart, the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus), which is also sometimes called a water ouzel.
