Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Lesser Yellowlegs are a common shorebird of flooded fields, shorelines, and mudflats as they migrate through South Dakota.  Lesser Yellowlegs are one of the two "Yellowlegs" species migrating through the state, the other being the Greater Yellowlegs.

Habitat: Flooded meadows, mud flats, shallow ponds, and shorelines during migration.  On its summer breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska, it breeds in clearings in the boreal forest, often near water, but not always.

Diet: Insects, small fish, and crustaceans.  Eats many aquatic insects, which make up the majority of it's summer diet.

Behavior: Forages in very shallow water.  It usually grabs food items right at or right below the surface, rarely probing deeper into mud or lake bottom.  They can sometimes be seen walking along through shallow water, bill tip barely submerged, swinging their head and bill back and forth and grabbing prey items they come into contact with.

Nesting: Non-breeder in South Dakota.  In breeding range, the nest of a Lesser Yellowlegs is a shallow depression on the ground, sparsely lined with bits of vegetation, and often in a protected area like near a clump of vegetation or a stump.  The female usually lays 3 or 4 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them.  The young leave the nest soon after hatching and feed themselves, but both parents help tend to them and protect them.  The young fledge after about 3 weeks.

Song: Harsh short tew-tew or tew.  Alarm call is sharp kip. Also makes musical pill-e-wee.

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

Similar Species: Greater Yellowlegs.  See Comparison Chart.

Conservation Status: Generally stable throughout its range, Lesser Yellowlegs are common in some areas and are found over a wide geographic area.  The IUCN lists the Lesser Yellowlegs as a species of "Least Concern".

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

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

3) eNature.com: Lesser Yellowlegs

Photo Information: April 22nd, 2012 -- Western Minnehaha County -- Terry L. Sohl

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