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Greater Yellowlegs -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 14 inches | Wingspan: 25 inches | Seasonality: Migrant |
| ID Keys: Compare to Lesser Yellowlegs, longer bill, larger size, harsher call | ||
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Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
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.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song: Greater Yellowlegs Song
Migrations: 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.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Greater Yellowlegs
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Greater Yellowlegs"
3) E-nature.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.
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
