Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

The lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes, is a medium-sized shorebird, a graceful creature of the wetlands. It measures 23–25 cm in length, with a wingspan of 59–64 cm, and weighs between 67–94 g. Both sexes share a similar plumage, which in breeding season is a mottled tapestry of gray-brown, black, and white on the upperparts, and a snowy white below adorned with brown streaks across the breast and neck. In its non-breeding attire, it dons a more uniform gray-brown cloak. Its legs, as its name suggests, are a striking yellow.

Identification Tips

When identifying the lesser yellowlegs, look for its yellow legs, which are a key distinguishing feature. The bill is shorter than that of its cousin, the greater yellowlegs, roughly the same length as its head, slim, straight, and dark. During breeding, its breast is streaked, and the flanks exhibit fine barring.

Habitat

The lesser yellowlegs favors clearings near ponds within the boreal forests, a habitat that stretches from Alaska to Quebec. These areas provide the seclusion and resources necessary for breeding and feeding.

Distribution

This bird is a seasoned traveler, migrating from its breeding grounds in North America to winter along the Gulf coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and as far south as South America. It is also a regular vagrant to western Europe, with a few birds reaching Great Britain annually, primarily between August and October.

Behaviour

The lesser yellowlegs is a vigilant bird, often seen foraging in shallow waters. It is known for its soft call, which is less strident than that of the greater yellowlegs. This species is also noted for its migration patterns and has been observed as an occasional overwintering guest in Great Britain.

Song & Calls

The call of the lesser yellowlegs is a gentle series of notes, softer in tone compared to the more robust calls of the greater yellowlegs.

Breeding

Nests are discreetly placed depressions on dry, mossy ground, often well-concealed. The typical clutch consists of four eggs, which are buff or gray-brown with varied brown spotting. Both parents share the duty of incubation, which lasts for 22-23 days. The precocial chicks are quick to leave the nest, capable of feeding themselves shortly after hatching, and take flight within 23 to 31 days.

Similar Species

The lesser yellowlegs is often mistaken for the greater yellowlegs due to their similar appearance. However, it can be differentiated by its shorter bill and smaller stature. It is more closely related to the willet, with breeding plumage revealing the fine and dense neck pattern that hints at their kinship.

Diet and Feeding

A diverse diet sustains the lesser yellowlegs, which includes insects like flies, beetles, and mayflies, as well as small fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, molluscs, spiders, and seeds. It forages in shallow waters, sometimes stirring the water with its bill to unearth prey.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the lesser yellowlegs as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

Lesser Yellowlegs Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Lesser Yellowlegs on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Sandpipers, Snipes

A photo of a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.