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Step 1
Look for the American Dipper in the western section of North America, near streams through the mountainous regions from Alaska southward to Panama.
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Step 2
Take note of the American Dipper's size. This chunky bird weighs between 1.5 and 2.4 oz. and measures between 6 and 8 inches in length. The American Dipper's wingspan is approximately 9 inches across. Male American Dippers are slightly larger than females.
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Step 3
Observe the American Dipper's gray coloring on its upper parts, underparts, wings and tail. It has long legs, a large head and a short neck. The tail is short and pointed, and the wings are also pointed. When the American Dipper blinks, look for the bird's white eyelids.
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Step 4
Listen to the sounds of the American Dipper on the What Bird website. The American Dipper's call is loud and sharp in tone and sounds like "zeip" or "zeet." The song of the American Dipper contains whistles or trills of repeated notes.
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Step 5
Watch the behaviors of the American Dipper. This aquatic songbird looks for food in streams by swimming or walking on stream bottoms, and appears to constantly bob its body up and down. The American Dipper is a strong, direct flyer that exhibits rapid wing beats during flight.
