Water Ouzel or American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus)
One of the best things about our annual Lassen Park campout is that we get to see several species of mountain birds that we don’t normally see in the valley. I know for a certainty that I will be able to see one of my favorites, the American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), whenever I visit Lassen Volcanic National Park.
I call this bird the Water Ouzel because I like saying it – Water Ouzel. Click on photos for full sized images.
The American Dipper is North America’s only truly aquatic passerine, feeding on stream insects, insect larvae and sometimes other invertebrates, small fish, fish eggs, and flying insects. How many birds do you know that can fly underwater?
On the last day of our campout I wanted to see both the Mountain Bluebird and Cassin’s Finch before heading home, so I headed up to Bumpass Hell where both of these species can usually be spotted. I wasn’t disappointed. Not only did I find both species at the parking lot, I found my friend Frank Kratofil photographing some Marmots.
Marmot at Bumpass Hell
I mention this because Frank is the one who told me about the Dipper nest on Kings Creek. So, after photographing the Mountain Bluebirds, Cassin’s Finches, Marmots and Picas, I stopped at Kings Creek and found this beautiful Water Ouzel nest atop a log in the creek…
with four hungry nestlings.
I knew they had to be close to fledging the way they were sticking their heads out of the nest.
Plus the adults were feeding them every few minutes.
They were begging so loud when the parents came with food that you could hear them above the sound of the rushing creek!
More food!
We’re hungry!
I’m on the way!
Here I come!
Are you kids ever satisfied?
I shot this video of the adults feeding the nestlings at King’s Creek. Near the end of the video (2:05) you might catch one of the nestlings defecating out of the nest between two of its siblings.