this is the rufous-throated dipper! as dippers go, this critter is extremely localized, living only in subtropical, shady mountain streams and rivers in extreme northwest Argentina and adjacent Bolivia. it associates heavily with alders, with most forests in its range having them in their makeup. while their range is tiny, they're easy to spot within it, often travelling in pairs or family groups. nests are spherical and built of moss, snuggled into cracks or crevices in the riverbank.
as dippers do, it forages in the water, picking arthropods and such off of the streambed. however, it doesn't swim around like its relatives, staying largely above the surface and only going underwater to retrieve food. it spends most of its time on rocks in the river or on its banks, often flicking its wings - likely to dry them? the white wingbars it has make this particularly conspicuous. its preferred streams are cold, relatively deep, surrounded by large stones for cover, and flow strongly throughout the year. its little legs seem very sturdy as passerine legs go, enabling it to stand steadily on rocks that are completely submerged under strong currents. it doesn't really migrate, its yearly movements being fairly local - in especially cold weather, it descends the mountains to escape the frosts.
19 June 2026
