Greater Yellowlegs

The Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca, is a sizable member of the shorebird family Scolopacidae. It is distinguished by its long, slender legs of a bright yellow hue and a lengthy, thin bill that curves slightly upwards, surpassing the length of its head. The plumage is a mottled grey-brown on the upper body, while the underparts are white. The neck and breast are adorned with dark brown streaks, and the rump is notably white. This bird's wingspan measures approximately 60 cm (23.6 inches), with a body length ranging from 29 to 40 cm (11 to 16 inches) and a weight between 111 to 250 g (3.9 to 8.8 oz).

Identification Tips

When identifying the Greater Yellowlegs, look for the combination of its long yellow legs and the bill that is longer than its head with a slight upward curve. The grey-brown and white plumage with dark streaking on the neck and breast, along with the white rump, are key features. In flight, its call—a three-syllable whistle with a lower-pitched third syllable—can aid in identification.

Habitat

The breeding grounds of the Greater Yellowlegs are primarily the bogs and marshes within the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.

Distribution

This species is migratory, spending winters in the southern regions of North America, Central America, the West Indies, and South America. During migration, they can be found along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. They are considered very rare vagrants to western Europe.

Behaviour

The Greater Yellowlegs is known for its nesting behavior on the ground, often in concealed spots near water. The young are precocial, leaving the nest within a day of hatching and the vicinity within two days.

Song & Calls

The Greater Yellowlegs' call is a distinctive, harsher, and louder whistle compared to its smaller relative, the Lesser Yellowlegs. Its flight call consists of a three-syllable whistle with the third syllable being of a lower pitch.

Breeding

The species lays three to four eggs per clutch, with eggs averaging 49 mm in length and 33 mm in breadth, and weighing about 28 g. The incubation period lasts for 23 days.

Diet and Feeding

Greater Yellowlegs forage in shallow waters, stirring the water with their bills to catch prey. Their diet includes insects, small fish, crustaceans, marine worms, frogs, seeds, and berries.

Conservation status

The Greater Yellowlegs is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or extinction.