Irish subspecies
Dipper
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The Irish race Cinclus cinclus hibernicus and the British race C.c.gularis of Dipper are quite similar. Both show a chestnut band on the lower breast forming a border to the white gorget. This feature alone easily distinguishes them from the Continental race, C.c.cinclus which shows a black lower breast and belly. However the Irish race shows subtle differences from the British race. The best feature is the extent and brightness of the chestnut band on the lower breast which tends to be narrower and duller on Irish birds. Irish Dippers also have darker upperparts.
Illustration
by Michael O'Clery
Dippers showing the features of the Irish race are also resident and breeding in parts of the extreme western Scotland. Birds of the Continental race, also known as the 'Black-bellied Dipper' have occurred in Ireland on two occasions. One was present on the River Tolka, Dublin, during the winter of 1956 and one was found on Tory Island, Donegal, in the autumn of 1962. |
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