Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs are one of the two "Yellowlegs" species migrating through the state, the other being the Lesser Yellowlegs.  More wary than its smaller cousin, the Greater Yellowlegs will make loud alarm calls when spooked.

Habitat: Flooded fields, mud flats, shallow ponds, riverbanks, shorelines.

Diet: Mostly small fish and insects, also snails, tadpoles, and crustaceans. 

Behavior: Primarily forages in shallow water, moving quite actively .  Greater Yellowlegs will pluck food items from the surface, or will dip their bills into the water and swing their heads from side-to-side to search for food items.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Greater Yellowlegs Song

Migration: Summers in Canada and Alaska.  Winters along the U.S. coasts, the extreme southern U.S., and points south

Similar Species: Lesser Yellowlegs.  See Comparison Chart.

Conservation Status: No noticeable trends in numbers or range.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Greater Yellowlegs

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Greater Yellowlegs"

3) eNature.com: Greater Yellowlegs

Photo Information: April 22nd, 2003 -- Long Lake near Madison -- Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Greater Yellowlegs photos.