Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs; Wakodahatchee Wetlands, FL

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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

The Lesser Yellowlegs is a slender, long-legged shorebird that readily shows off the brightly colored legs that give it its name. It is an active feeder, often running through the shallow water to chase its prey.

Description

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

• Size: 23-25 cm (9-10 in)
• Wingspan: 59-64 cm (23-25 in)
• Weight: 67-94 g (2.37-3.32 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Two-noted short whisted "tu-tu."

Conservation Status

Populations appear stable.

Other Names

Petit chevalier (French)
Patamarilla menor (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Both the male and femal Lesser Yellowlegs provide parental care to the young, but the female tends to leave the breeding area before the chicks can fly, thus leaving the male to defend the young until fledging.

Sources used to construct this page:

Tibbitts, T. L., and W. Moskoff. 1999. Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). In The Birds of North America, No. 427 (A.Poole and F.Gill,eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.