Lesser Yellowlegs -- South Dakota Birds

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

A rather tame and common shorebird of flooded fields, shorelines, and mudflats.  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, shores.

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

Breeding: Non-Breeder in South Dakota

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

Migrations: 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.

Status: Generally stable throughout its range.

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

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

3) E-nature.com: Lesser Yellowlegs

Photo Information: April 22nd, 2003 -- Western Minnehaha County -- Terry L. Sohl

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