Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Greater Yellowlegs is a shorebird with bright yellow legs that strides through shallow U.S. wetlands. It is bulkier and longer-billed than Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), a close lookalike at migration stops.

Appearance

Appearance: A tall, slender shorebird with bright yellow legs and a sturdy bill that is slightly upturned. It measures about 11–13 in (29–33 cm) long.
Voice: Its sharp calls often come in a string of three or four notes.

Look-alikes

Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs is bulkier and about 50% larger, although size can be hard to judge alone. Its bill is thicker, longer than the head, and often slightly upturned; Lesser’s is thinner and nearly straight.

Why they get mixed upBoth have bright yellow legs and gray-brown backs.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Shallow marshes
Mudflats
Flooded fields
Range: It breeds in Alaska and the northern forests of Canada. During migration it crosses U.S. wetlands, and many winter in the southern U.S. and farther south.
Seasonal presence: A spring and fall migrant across much of the U.S.; a winter visitor in the South.

Behavior

Diet: It catches aquatic in shallow water and sometimes takes small fish or frogs.
Activity: It walks with long steps and may rush after prey.

Life cycle

Nest: It places a simple nest on mossy or ground in northern wetlands.
Clutch size: 3–4 eggs
Incubation: About 23 days

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NTNear ThreatenedCould become threatened before long
Status: Wetland loss on the wintering grounds is a major concern.

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