The Dipper is also known as the White Throated Dipper and the European Dipper. It is called the ‘Dipper’ because it bobs and dips its head when it stands on rocks in water. However, this dipping often takes place when it feels disturbed or if it is approached too closely. It is not a true aquatic bird like a duck, although it can be found in and near fast-flowing streams and rivers in the north and the south west of England.

The Dipper has a reddish brown head and a white throat and chest. The feathers on its back are a sooty grey-brown colour. It has two small black eyes and white eyelids which are noticeable when the Dipper blinks. It has three toes that face forwards and one toe that faces backwards and although its feet are not webbed, it can still swim across water by paddling with its legs and feet. It can also dive.

The Dipper is usually seen on its own and when it goes looking for food, it walks into the water and keeps walking until its whole head and body vanish from sight. Dippers can find food as deep as fifty centimetres under the water. They often eat water insects and larvae from stoneflies and mayflies. Dippers sing quite sweet warbling songs from October to July.