Cinclidae

Cinclidae, the dippers, is a family of passerine birds in the single genus Cinclus comprising five species: the white-throated dipper, brown dipper, American dipper, white-capped dipper and rufous-throated dipper. Dippers are unique among passerines for their ability to dive and swim underwater, and take their name from their bobbing or dipping movements. They live beside suitable freshwater habitats in the highlands of the Americas, Europe and Asia, with an African presence limited to Moroccos Atlas Mountains, and are small compact birds, 14 to 22 centimeters long and 40 to 90 grams in weight, with short wings that give them a distinctive whirring flight. When submerged, a dipper becomes covered by a thin silvery film of air trapped by small bubbles on its plumage, which helps enable its unusual aquatic habits among songbirds.