The Lesser Yellowlegs is a small shorebird that can be found along marshes, ponds, and mudflats across North America. Here are some interesting facts about these elegant waders:
Identification
Lesser Yellowlegs are medium-sized shorebirds that measure around 9-11 inches in length. They have long, thin legs and a thin, dark bill that measures around 1-1.5 inches long. Their plumage is gray and white with a patterned back and white undersides. Some key identification features include:
- Gray feathers on the back that are spotted and barred with white
- White undersides
- Yellow legs (though not as bright yellow as the Greater Yellowlegs)
- Thin, dark bill with a slight upward tilt
- Long legs that extend past the tail in flight
Lesser Yellowlegs are often confused with the similar Greater Yellowlegs, which is slightly larger with a proportionally longer and stouter bill. The best way to tell them apart is by their legs – Lessers have thin yellow legs while Greaters have thicker yellow legs.
Range and Habitat
Lesser Yellowlegs breed in open wetlands across Canada and Alaska and into the northern United States. They migrate long distances to wintering grounds that extend from the southern U.S. coastline through Central America and into northern South America. Migration routes cover over 9,300 miles between their nesting and wintering habitat!
During migration and winter, Lesser Yellowlegs occur along coastlines, marshes, mudflats, ponds, and flooded fields. On their breeding grounds, they seek out open wetlands like wet meadows, bogs, marshes, and flooded willow thickets.
Breeding and Nesting
Lesser Yellowlegs arrive at their northern breeding grounds between early May and mid-June. They are monogamous and believed to mate for life. Though solitary nesters, breeding pairs will often nest semi-colonially with other shorebirds.
The female builds a well-concealed nest on the ground in dense marsh vegetation, dried grasses, or moss. Nesting typically begins in late May or June. The nest consists of a shallow scrape lined with grasses, plant material, and lichens.
Lesser Yellowlegs lay a clutch of 3-5 eggs that are buff-colored with brown spotting. The eggs are incubated for 21-22 days before hatching. The chicks are precocial, meaning they leave the nest within a day and feed themselves. The female cares for and protects the young who fledge after about 3 weeks.
Diet
Lesser Yellowlegs forage by wading in shallow water and probing in mud with their bills. Their diet consists primarily of insects and small invertebrates:
- Insects: flies, beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers
- Worms
- Crustaceans: amphipods, isopods, shrimp
- Mollusks: snails, larvae
- Other inverts: spiders
They also occasionally eat small fish and eggs. Lesser Yellowlegs will forage nocturnally during migration which may help them replenish energy stores.
Migration
One of the most fascinating facts about Lesser Yellowlegs is their incredibly long annual migrations between breeding and wintering habitat. Each fall, Lesser Yellowlegs embark on nonstop transoceanic flights of up to 4,350 miles over open water. They can fly this distance in just a few days!
Lesser Yellowlegs follow well-defined migration routes along coasts and inland across North America. They fly by night and rest/refuel by day. While no single bird makes the entire 9,300 mile round trip each year, they migrate amazing distances over their lifetimes.
Conservation Status
Lesser Yellowlegs have a large range and are common in many parts of their breeding and wintering grounds. However, some specific populations have shown concerning declines likely due to habitat loss and degradation. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
Threats to Lesser Yellowlegs include:
- Habitat loss and degradation of wetlands
- Disturbance of breeding habitat from human recreation
- Pollution and contamination from oil spills, mining, agriculture
Protecting wetland habitats across North America through legislation and land preservation will be important for maintaining healthy Lesser Yellowlegs populations into the future.
Fun Facts
- Lesser Yellowlegs make a distinctive, sharp “tu-tu-tu” call in flight.
- Their genus name Tringa comes from a Greek word meaning “damp place” referring to their wetland habitat.
- They get their common name from their yellow legs, though the legs appear greenish when they are in breeding plumage.
- Shorebirds like Lesser Yellowlegs make some of the longest distance migrations in the animal kingdom. Scientists estimate the total migration distance to be around 18,000 miles for an individual bird over its lifetime!
- Lesser Yellowlegs can reach speeds up to 45 mph during migration.
- Rapid weight gain prior to migration is a key adaption that provides the fuel needed for their incredible nonstop transoceanic flights. They can nearly double their body weight in just a couple weeks!
- Lesser Yellowlegs do aerial acrobatics during the breeding season display flights. Males fly high then dive sharply with wings swept back.
- They sometimes nest in association with larger shorebirds like Marbled Godwits that provide protection from predators.
Summary
In summary, the Lesser Yellowlegs is a remarkable migratory shorebird known for its long-distance migrations between breeding grounds in the north and wintering habitat to the south. Some key facts include:
- Medium-sized shorebird 9-11 inches long with a thin, dark bill and yellow legs
- Breed in northern North America and winter along coasts to South America
- Nest on the ground near water in marshes and bogs
- Forage by probing in mudflats and shallow water
- Make amazingly long migrations of up to 9,300 miles roundtrip
- Populations are declining in parts of range due to habitat loss and degradation
The Lesser Yellowlegs is an indicator of healthy wetland habitat across the Americas. Protecting stopover sites and wintering grounds in addition to breeding habitat will be key to conservation of these amazing migrants.
Location | Breeding (Summer) | Winter (Non-breeding) |
---|---|---|
North America | Northern Canada, Alaska, Northern U.S. | Southern U.S., Mexico |
Central America | – | Coasts, wetlands |
South America | – | Northern coasts, wetlands |
Plumage | Breeding | Non-breeding |
---|---|---|
Back | Gray with white spots/bars | Gray |
Underside | White | White |
Legs | Greenish-yellow | Yellow |
Lesser Yellowlegs are elegant shorebirds with amazing migration behaviors. Their dependence on wetland habitats across the Americas highlights the need for continued conservation efforts. Protecting stopover and wintering sites in addition to breeding grounds will help ensure the future of these long-distance migrants.