Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Scientific name definitions

21–23 cm; two males 88 g and 88·7 g, two females 76·3 g and 86·5 g (nominate), male 68·9–82·6 g and two females 62 g and 79 g (tenuirostris), one male 70 g and two females 66 g and 68 g (dorjei). Nominate race has plumage entirely dark chocolate-brown, back and chest slightly warmer, more rufous-tinged, than head and rump; flight-feathers and tail dark chocolate-brown; underwing dark grey-brown; iris brown, narrow white eyering; bill blackish; legs blackish-brown. Sexes similar, female somewhat smaller than male. Juvenile is distinctive, dull blackish-brown with conspicuous greyish-white spots on head and throat, greyish-white scalloping on back, breast and belly, contrasting greyish-white edgings on secondaries, tertials and rectrices. Races differ in depth of coloration: <em>tenuirostris</em> is paler brown than nominate, juvenile also paler, grey-brown with pale spots above , mottled whitish and brown below; dorjei is darker and smaller than previous, also juvenile more rufous than in other races, blackish- brown with pale rufous spots, less prominent pale fringes on wings and tail.

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Fast-flowing rocky mountain streams and shallow rivers with clear water; sometimes at upland tarns. From foothills to above 5000 m locally; breeds from as low as 450 m to c. 4300 m in Himalayas, probably ascending higher after breeding; 450–1800 m in Japan, sometimes lower, even down to sea-level, in non-breeding season. In Himalayas, often on larger, slower rivers and at lower elevations than C. cinclus, but much overlap; at W extreme of range, in Uzbekistan, nests of the two species alternated along a length of stream.

Resident, with some altitudinal movement. In breeding areas in Gissar Mts (E Uzbekistan-Tajikistan), descends to 1300–1000 m in Oct/Nov, reappearing on nesting territories in Apr or early May; general post-breeding withdrawal from higher levels in Himalayas during winter months, e.g. down to 600 m in Nepal, but many remain at high elevations throughout year. Essentially sedentary in Japan , but some vertical movements in response to temperature; recorded down to sea-level in winter in NE Hokkaido (Shiretoko Peninsula). Possibly some migration in N China. Recorded as vagrant in Hong Kong.

Aquatic invertebrates , especially mayfly (Ephemeroptera) and stonefly (Plecoptera) nymphs, larvae of caddis flies (Trichoptera) and similar items. Recorded taking and eating a small fish . Stomachs of birds from Russia found always to contains sand grains and small pebbles. Forages on riverbed, by diving from rock into fast-flowing water . Swims on surface; on calmer pools and tarns, frequently dives from a floating position, with initial slight upward spring as that of small grebe (Podicipedidae), apparently doing so more regularly than does C. cinclus.

Song a rich warbling, reminiscent of Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), includes dry buzzing notes, clipped notes, trills and rattles, given in brief verses or in longer, more rambling version; described as somewhat more pleasant than that of C. cinclus. Call a buzzing “zzit zzit” or “dzit dzit”, less shrill than call of C. cinclus, given irregularly or in short series; rattling “r- r-r-r-r” or low rolling “zur-r-r-r” in courtship or as greeting.

Dec to early Aug, depending on altitude; laying mainly from Apr in Russia, Dec–Mar in China; in Japan, lays from mid-Apr in N (Hokkaido) and from Feb in S (Honshu); often two broods per season. Monogamous; solitary nester. Nest built by both sexes, taking c. 7–10 days, a large globular structure with side entrance, outer wall made largely of moss, inner layer of finer material, small rootlets and leaf ribs, nests in Tien Shan 22·5–28 cm in diameter, walls 3·5–5 cm thick, entrance hole 8–8·5 cm across; sited in rock crevice or cliff ledge, often directly above flowing water , sometimes among mid-river boulders, sometimes in cave, less often behind waterfall or in masonry under bridge; linear territory c. 400–500 m or longer. Clutch 3–6 eggs, most commonly 4 or 5; incubation period 19–20 days and fledging period 23–24 days in E Russia, but respective figures of 15–16 days and c. 21 days reported in Japan. Nests sometimes parasitized by cuckoos (of genus Cuculus).

Not globally threatened. Considered common and widespread on suitable watercourses throughout most of its extensive range; fairly common in Japan . Reported former occurrence in Bangladesh remains uncertain; no definite records. Recorded in NW Thailand but status uncertain, possibly non-breeding visitor. In Himalayan foothills , water abstraction for irrigation, deforestation, associated agro-chemicals and siltation have local negative impacts; population declines reported in Nepal. Hunted for food in some parts of range, especially China and SE Asia.