Another reference of dipper studies done by a friend of mine along the Logan River in northern Utah, Roarke Donnelly years ago for his Master's research: http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v100n02/p0385-p0388.pdf .This reference is for young dippers banded with USFWS bands and color bands.

There shouldn't be any more reason to question banding or color-banding of dippers then other species, a band should be fitting enough that it should not get snagged on vegetation, rocks or other stratus. As stated by one poster, there is always some risk in capture and placement of a band/transmitter/tags etc.. on any bird or wildlife. It should only be done by those trained and skilled in that species/group and researchers should always ask themselves if the information gained from the research outweighs the intrusion to the animal.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA