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The name "dipper" comes from their observed habit of feeding. They completely dip their heads in water many times a minute, a bobbing motion which also continues while above water when looking for food. They also completely submerse themselves under water, using their long legs to walk across the stream bed; they also use their wings as a swimming aid. Food consists of aquatic insects and insect larvae, flying insects, and small crustaceans. Small fish, tadpoles, and worms are sometimes taken, but consist of a small overall proportion of their diet.
The name "dipper" comes from their observed habit of feeding. They completely dip their heads in water many times a minute, a bobbing motion which also continues while above water when looking for food. They also completely submerse themselves under water, using their long legs to walk across the stream bed; they also use their wings as a swimming aid. Food consists of aquatic insects and insect larvae, flying insects, and small crustaceans. Small fish, tadpoles, and worms are sometimes taken, but consist of a small overall proportion of their diet.
A distinctive "wing-flashing" or "wing-flicking" are done by the birds. Researchers speculate that the flashing is done either to startle their insect prey, or alert other birds to threats<ref>http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/pdf/links/neo/rev13/vol_13_3/orni_13_3_319-322.pdf</ref>.
The species in Europe and North America are also known by the name "water ouzel", based upon an Old English word for the [[European blackbird]] (''Turdus merula'')<ref>http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/ouzel</ref><ref>http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/ouzel</ref>.
The species in Europe and North America are also known by the name "water ouzel", based upon an Old English word for the [[European blackbird]] (''Turdus merula'')<ref>http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/ouzel</ref><ref>http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/ouzel</ref>.