Dippers are the only songbirds in Europe that regularly go underwater. They have specially dense, waterproof feathers that trap a layer of air close to their skin to keep them warm. When they dive beneath the surface of a rushing stream, they use their wings to 'fly' through the water, gripping the riverbed with their strong clawed feet.
A dipper bobs up and down constantly while it perches on a stone - hence the name 'dipper'. Scientists think this bobbing movement may help the bird see underwater by reducing the glare from the water surface, or it may be a way of communicating with other dippers along the riverbank.
Dippers build their nests behind or beside waterfalls, or in gaps in riverbank walls. The location is clever: the spray from the waterfall keeps the nest damp, which discourages certain predators. Baby dippers can swim before they can fly - they hatch knowing how to navigate their watery world.
The white-throated dipper is found along Kosovo's cleanest mountain rivers - in Rugova Canyon, along streams in the Sharr Mountains and near the Mirusha waterfalls. Seeing a dipper dip and dash along a stream is a sign that the water is pure and healthy. They are a living indicator of water quality.