Pronunciation: [sˈɪŋklɪdˌiː] (IPA) 
"Cinclidae" is the scientific name for the family of birds commonly known as dippers. The spelling "cinclidae" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /sɪŋklaɪdiː/. The "c" is pronounced as "s" and the "cl" sounds like "k-l". The "d" is silent, and the final "e" indicates the plural form. This family includes five species of aquatic birds found in freshwater habitats in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The Cinclidae is a family of small to medium-sized birds commonly known as dippers. Comprising five genera and about seven species, these birds are found across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are characterized by their unique adaptation of frequenting moving waters and habitats near fast-flowing streams, rivers, or waterfalls.
Dippers are known for their aquatic nature and remarkable diving abilities. They have a rotund body shape with short wings, providing them with excellent maneuverability and the ability to swim underwater. Their short legs are equipped with sharp claws, enabling them to securely grip slippery rocks or other submerged surfaces. With a streamlined body and dense plumage, dippers are well adapted to withstand the cold temperatures of their aquatic environments.
Dippers are predominantly insectivorous, feeding on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, larvae, and small crustaceans. They actively forage underwater, either walking or swimming with their head and body submerged. They are also excellent divers, capable of descending several meters to search for prey.
The family Cinclidae is known for their melodious songs, which are often heard along riverbanks and near fast-flowing waters. Dippers typically construct cup-shaped nests in rock crevices or hidden locations near water bodies. They have a monogamous breeding system, fiercely defending their nesting territory.
Overall, the Cinclidae family is distinguished by their aquatic lifestyle, remarkable diving skills, and unique adaptations to fast-flowing water habitats, making them fascinating members of the avian world.
The word "Cinclidae" derives from the Greek words "kinklos" meaning "a small wading bird" and "daēs" meaning "one that possesses". The term was coined by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1829 to refer to a family of aquatic birds known as dippers. Dippers are a group of small, plump birds that are named after their unique behavior of dipping or diving into the water while foraging for food. They are found in fast-flowing streams and rivers in Europe, Asia, and North America. The etymology of "cinclidae" makes reference to this distinctive characteristic of dippers.
