Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
DescriptionLarger than its relative, the Lesser Yellowlegs, this bird primarily feeds on fish and aquatic invertebrates. It can easily be distinguished from its relative by the side-to-side swinging motion it makes with its bill as it feeds. Typically while feeding, it runs around wildly.
Medium sized, long, bright yellow legged shorebird. Dark brown back with pale spots and feather edges. Breast and flanks streaked and spotted with gray- brown. Pale head and neck streaked with light and dark browns. White eye- ring. Dark brown stripe between base of bill and eye. Dark, slightly upturned bill, which is often paler at it's base. Bill is approximately 1.5 times the width of it's head. White tail crossed by thin, black bars. Sexes similar. 11 inches in length.
Lakes and tidal mudflats.
Nesting4 dark yellow eggs with brown markings and a 23 day incubation period. Fledging occurs 18-20 days after hatching. The nest is a shallow depression in a damp, open spot on the ground.
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