American Dipper / Cinclus mexicanus

The American Dipper is uncommon to common year-round in Alberta. In winter, they search for open water, such as this area at Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Park, taken on November 27th. I was with friends, so I couldn't try getting any closer, hence a heavily cropped shot : ) However, I wanted to post this shot in case any of my local friends without cameras wanted the image. As I always say, distant, small birds is not my favourite kind of photography, LOL. This little guy was in the water most of the time, but a couple of times it ran two or three feet over the snow, turned around and ran back to the water. Quite amusing birds to watch, especially when they they bob up and down, doing their deep knee bends! Interesting to watch when they dive down under the water to feed.

"The American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), also known as a Water Ouzel, is a stocky dark grey bird with a head sometimes tinged with brown, and white feathers on the eyelids cause the eyes to flash white as the bird blinks. It is 16.5 cm long and weighs on average 46 g. It has long legs, and bobs its whole body up and down during pauses as it feeds on the bottom of fast-moving, rocky streams. It inhabits the mountainous regions of Central America and western North America from Panama to Alaska.

This species, like other dippers, is equipped with an extra eyelid called a "nictitating membrane" that allows it to see underwater, and scales that close its nostrils when submerged. Dippers also produce more oil than most birds, which may help keep them warmer when seeking food underwater." From Wikipedia.