Changes

==Description==

==Description==

European dippers are medium sized birds, roughly the size of a thrush, and are just over seven inches in length.  They are a dark brown in color, with a large white patch on their throats.   

European dippers are medium-sized birds, roughly the size of a thrush, and are just over seven inches in length.  They are a dark brown in color, with a large white patch on their throats.   

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.

==Nesting==

==Nesting==

Females choose nesting sites between 6 to 20 feet above the water, in a cliff ledge, small crevasse, or attached to a man-made object such as a bridge, provided the site is near water.  The nest itself is about a foot in diameter, and consists of an inner layer of grass and bark, and an outer layer of moss, with the moss designed to collect moisture and keep the interior dry.  The opening to the nest is from the bottom.

Females choose nesting sites between 6 and 20 feet above the water, in a cliff ledge, small crevasse, or attached to a man-made object such as a bridge, provided the site is near water.  The nest itself is about a foot in diameter, and consists of an inner layer of grass and bark, and an outer layer of moss, with the moss designed to collect moisture and keep the interior dry.  The opening to the nest is from the bottom.

Inside the nest 4 to 5 eggs are laid, with an incubation period of 17 days.  The young are fed by both parents for up to 26 days.  Although monogamous, dippers will lead solitary lives when the nesting period is over.   

Inside the nest 4 to 5 eggs are laid, with an incubation period of 17 days.  The young are fed by both parents for up to 26 days.  Although monogamous, dippers will lead solitary lives when the nesting period is over.