Adult: It is difficult to learn to distinguish between the Greater Yellowlegs and the almost identical Lesser Yellowlegs without a good bit of comparison between the two, so some similarities are described under Lesser Yellowlegs. There you will find comments regarding relative size, voice, bill length, habitat, breeding and nesting.

Remember: the yellowlegs species are not the only shorebirds with yellow legs. Be sure of your bird. You may want to check your field guide further before making your call.

The bill of Greater Yellowlegs is dark, thicker - especially at the base - and heavier than Lesser’s, and slightly upturned. Greater may use it to skim the surface or sweep side-to-side through the water in its search for fhe small fish and aquatic creatures it feeds upon. Greater Yellowlegs sometimes hustle about in an erratic, haphazard fashion. They are always wary, always watchful and quick to fly.

The long legs are yellow. Winter plumage is grayish. Breast is finely streaked. Dark bill is pale at its base except in spring. A white rump patch is visible in flight.

Breeding Plumage: Streaked neck and head and dark barring on flanks that may extend to belly. The yellow hue of the legs may vary to yellow-orange.

Immature:  The immature Greater Yellowlegs is browner and somewhat darker on wings and upper parts than winter adult. Fine breast streaking.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon.