What Is a Dipper, the Bird That Walks Underwater?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is a dipper, the bird that walks underwater?

The Big Idea

The American dipper is a small gray songbird that walks underwater to find food! It lives beside fast mountain streams. It is built for diving into the current.

Bob, Bob, Bob

Step one: bobbing. A dipper stands on a rock and bobs up and down, as if it is doing little knee bends. That is where its name comes from, and it does this almost all day long.

Underwater Walk

Step two: diving in. Then it dives right into the stream, walks along the bottom, and flaps its wings underwater. It hunts for insect larvae and other small animals, and it can even stay under for several seconds.

Built for Water

Step three: special gear. A dipper has a clear extra eyelid that works like swim goggles. Its thick feathers help keep it warm, and oil from a gland helps keep water out, so it can stay snug.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a dipper! It is a small gray songbird. A clear eyelid works like goggles. Thick feathers keep it warm. And it bobs on the rocks by the stream.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A dipper's bobbing may help it spot food or send signals. It lives beside fast mountain streams. It walks right into the water. Watch birds from a safe spot with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Do ten dipper bobs by bending your knees quickly. Then draw a dipper on a rock by a stream. Show a grown-up! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

A dipper bobs, dives, and walks underwater to find a meal. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!