Close to the rushing waters of mountain streams lives a sturdy bird, about the size of a starling, called the dipper. Found in many parts of the world, it is a truly aquatic creature with the ability to "fly" underwater. Using its strong wings, it has been known to dive into 20 feet of water and fly to the bottom, staying down as long as half a minute while it searches in the grit and sand for food.
It is thought that the dipper is able to walk on the bottom by setting its body at an angle against the current to obtain a planing effect that prevents it from bobbing to the surface until it has finished its meal. A movable flap over the bird's nostrils keeps out the water, and the eyes are protected by a membrane.
American dipper
