Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

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Greater Yellowlegs, to show tail, Myakka River FL, April

Greater (left) and Lesser (right) yellowlegs, Myakka River FL, April

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A common, tall, long-legged shorebird of freshwater ponds and tidal marshes, the Greater Yellowlegs frequently announces its presence by its piercing alarm calls.

Description

• Medium-sized to large shorebird.
• Long, bright yellow legs.
• Rather long neck and bill.
• White rump and tail.

• Size: 29-33 cm (11-13 in)
• Wingspan: 60 cm (24 in)
• Weight: 111-235 g (3.92-8.3 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Three or four-noted, "dew-dew-dew."

Conservation Status

Populations appear stable.

Other Names

Grand chevalier à pattes jaunes (French)
Patamarilla mayor (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Although the Greater Yellowlegs is common and widespread, its low densities and tendency to breed in inhospitable, mosquito-ridden muskegs make it one of the least-studied shorebirds on the continent.

Sources used to construct this page:

Elphick, C. S., and T. L. Tibbitts. 1998. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). In The Birds of North America, No. 355 (A. Poole and F. Gill,eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.