The American Dipper is found along rushing mountain streams and rivers in western Canada. Its habitat preferences make it difficult to survey and it is not well-monitored in Canada. Both Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count results suggest there has been little overall change in the Canadian population since the early 1970s, but there is some uncertainty in that assessment. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
American Dipper populations are considered good indicators of ecosystem health, since they depend on rich invertebrate and fish populations that are sensitive to habitat disturbances such as siltation and acidification (Willson and Kingery 2011). Management practices that protect riparian areas from overgrazing, silting, overlogging, and pollution will benefit the species. For example, American Dipper populations in South Dakota have declined as a result of sedimentation, pollution, and changes to stream flow (Willson and Kingery 2011). American Dippers readily use nest boxes and other man-made structures that support nests at suitable sites (Willson and Kingery 2011).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.