Lesser Yellowlegs

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Lesser Yellowlegs
Latin: Tringa flavipes
Other: Maçarica-de-perna-amarela (Br)
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

The Lesser Yellowlegs breeds in the boreal forest between Alaska and Quebec and migrates to South America in the northern winter. It can be found throughout Brazil during this time.

Quite a tall bird, it’s a bit slimmer than the similar looking Greater Yellowlegs. The Lesser Yellowlegs also has a proportionately smaller bill. In flight its white rump can be seen, which gets darker at the tip. Its feet protrude past the tail in flight too.