Shorebirds are a diverse group of wading birds that live along coastlines, wetlands, mudflats, and beaches. They are known for their long legs, long bills, and migratory patterns that take some species on epic journeys across continents. Shorebirds fill an important ecological niche, feeding on invertebrates in wet, coastal habitats. There are many different species of shorebirds around the world, varying greatly in size, coloration, and habitat preferences.
Shorebirds with Yellow Legs
Of the numerous shorebird species worldwide, several have legs that are wholly or partially yellow in color. The most widespread and well-known shorebird with yellow legs is the greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). As their name suggests, greater yellowlegs have long, bright yellow legs that make them easily identifiable. Here are some key facts about the greater yellowlegs:
- They are a medium-sized shorebird, measuring 12-15 inches in length with a wingspan around 32 inches.
- Their plumage is gray and white from above, with a white underside and speckled breast.
- Their long bill is dark with a slight upward curve.
- They are found along muddy coastlines, estuaries, marshes, ponds, and river shores throughout North and South America.
- They breed in marshy boreal forests in Canada and Alaska and winter from the southern U.S. coast to South America.
- They eat small fish, frogs, aquatic invertebrates, and insects which they glean from wet mud or probe for in shallow water.
- They are highly territorial during the breeding season.
- They nest on the ground, often on floating mats of vegetation.
- Their population faces threats from habitat loss and degradation.
The bright yellow legs of the greater yellowlegs are useful for wading in muddy wetland habitats as they search for food. In flight, their yellow legs trail behind their white rump. Their main call is a loud, whistled “twee-tu.”
Other Yellow-Legged Shorebirds
While the greater yellowlegs is the most widespread, other shorebirds also have yellow legs:
- Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes): Very similar to greater yellowlegs but smaller in size (9-11 inches long) with a more slender bill.
- Willet (Tringa semipalmata): Large plover with blue-gray wings and back and white undersides. Breeds in interior North America.
- Spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus): A Eurasian shorebird with orange-yellow legs in breeding plumage and pale pinkish-yellow legs in nonbreeding plumage.
- Greenshank (Tringa nebularia): A Eurasian shorebird with greenish-yellow legs.
- Nordmann’s greenshank (Tringa guttifer): An endangered Asian shorebird with greenish legs.
- Marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis): Eurasian shorebird with yellowish-green legs.
- Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola): Small shorebird with yellowish legs breeding in Eurasia.
- Common greenshank (Tringa nebularia): Widespread Eurasian shorebird with greenish legs.
There are also some non-shorebird waterbird species like herons and egrets that have partial yellow coloration on their legs and feet, such as the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) and great egret (Ardea alba). However, the greater yellowlegs and the other shorebirds listed above are regarded as the species that are best known for their bright yellow legs.
Identification Tips
Identifying shorebirds can be tricky, even among those that share the trait of yellow legs. Here are some tips for proper identification:
- Consider size – Larger yellow-legged species like willets can be over 12 inches long, while lesser yellowlegs only reach 11 inches.
- Study plumage patterns – Note both the colors and any distinctive markings on the head, back, wings, and chest.
- Observe bill shape – Thinner or slightly upturned bills help distinguish greater yellowlegs.
- Watch behavior – Actions like feeding, flight pattern, and posture can aid ID.
- Consider range – Whether a species is found in the Americas, Eurasia, or only regionally can provide clues.
- Note leg color – Yellowcan range from bright golden yellow to greenish-yellow.
- Listen for vocalizations – Many shorebirds have distinctive calls.
- Use a field guide – Consult a guide with illustrations and range maps for confirmation.
With close observation and by considering multiple factors, birdwatchers can learn to properly identify yellow-legged shorebird species.
Habitat and Behavior
Shorebirds with yellow legs occupy a diversity of coastal and inland wetland habitats. Here is some detail on the habitats used by key yellow-legged species:
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater yellowlegs breed in marshy openings in boreal forest and muskegs from Alaska across northern Canada. They nest on the ground, often on platforms of vegetation over standing water. During migration and winter, they inhabit freshwater and brackish wetlands, estuaries, mudflats, flooded fields, ponds, and shorelines. They can be seen feeding in belly-deep water, sweeping their bills back and forth feeling for prey.
Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser yellowlegs breed in similar boreal wetland habitats, but with a more southern range than greater yellowlegs. They migrate through interior wetlands across North America. In migration and winter, lesser yellowlegs frequent salty and freshwater habitats, including tidal pools, flooded fields, shorelines, and marshes.
Willet
Willets nest on shortgrass prairies of central North America, usually near water sources. They forage along intertidal zones, beaches, salt marshes, estuaries, and mudflats outside of the breeding season, including along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts.
Spotted Redshank
Spotted redshanks nest in wet grassy tundra and taiga in northern Eurasia. They forage along muddy shorelines and tidal flats during migration and winter throughout Europe and Asia in brackish or saline wetlands.
Feeding habits vary by species, but most yellow-legged shorebirds eat small invertebrates like crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects. Some also eat fish, frogs, worms, or plant material. They use their sensitive bills to probe into mud or pick food items off of vegetation. Shorebirds are very tactile foragers.
Yellow-legged shorebirds exhibit fascinating migratory behaviors, with some species known to migrate from the high Arctic down to southern South America annually. They migrate in large mixed-species flocks. Shorebirds have incredible endurance, with migratory flocks capable of non-stop flights of 4,000 miles or more.
Conservation Status
Many shorebirds worldwide are threatened by habitat loss, human disturbance, pollution, and climate change impacts at migration stopover sites. For yellow-legged shorebird species, here are some conservation concerns and protections:
Greater Yellowlegs
Still widespread throughout their range, but habitat loss in boreal breeding areas and migration/wintering grounds is a concern. Population trends uncertain.
Lesser Yellowlegs
Also still common, but shares the same habitat threats on migration routes and wintering grounds as the greater yellowlegs. Population declines suspected along the Atlantic coast.
Willet
Fairly common still, but prairie breeding habitat has declined significantly. Coastal migration and wintering wetlands are at risk to development and sea level rise.
Spotted Redshank
Populations declining and the species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, pollution, and disturbance are major threats, especially on migration.
Shorebird Conservation Efforts
Protecting a network of wetland habitats along migration flyways is key for conservation of yellow-legged shorebirds. Efforts are underway to preserve coastal wetlands and inland stopover habitats. Public education, research, habitat restoration, and legislation also aid shorebird conservation. Migration tracking studies are helping document important stopover locations. Reducing disturbances, managing water levels, and controlling predators help create optimal conditions at wetland reserves used by migratory shorebird flocks.
Conclusion
The greater yellowlegs is the most familiar yellow-legged shorebird, but over a dozen species worldwide share the trait of yellow, greenish-yellow, or orange legs. This specialization aids their lifestyle of wading in muddy wetlands searching for invertebrate prey. While still common, many yellow-legged shorebirds face growing threats during migrations between far-flung breeding and wintering grounds. Protecting wetland networks through habitat conservation efforts is crucial to allow these epic migratory birds to continue their extraordinary journeys across continents.
