Dipper
CR

Dipper

Cinclus cinclus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The White-throated Dipper faces severe threats from water pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Industrial runoff, agricultural chemicals, and urban development have contaminated and altered the clean, fast-flowing streams essential for this species' survival. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but declining water quality and stream modification represent critical threats across much of its range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Fast-flowing, clear mountain streams, rivers, and rocky watercourses with abundant invertebrate prey, typically in upland and mountainous regions. Requires clean, well-oxygenated water with rocky substrates and overhanging banks or rock crevices for nesting.

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dipper classified as Critically Endangered?
Dipper is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The White-throated Dipper faces severe threats from water pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Industrial runoff, agricultural chemicals, and urban development have contaminated and altered the clean, fast-flowing streams essential for this species' survival. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but declining water quality and stream modification represent critical threats across much of its range.
Where does Dipper live?
Dipper occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dipper?
The main threats to Dipper are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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