# Greater Yellowlegs (*Tringa melanoleuca*) The Greater Yellowlegs is a tall, wading bird with long legs and a long bill. They are known for their beautiful yellow legs and can often be seen near water, searching for food. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Greater Yellowlegs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Greater_Yellowlegs2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Baird ( bairdphotos.com ), CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greater_Yellowlegs2.jpg) ## Appearance The Greater Yellowlegs is a medium-sized shorebird with very long, bright yellow legs and a slender, slightly upturned dark bill. Its upperparts are streaky gray-brown, contrasting with its clean white belly. This makes its striking legs stand out from other shorebirds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Scolopacidae - **Genus:** Tringa ## Interesting facts - Baby yellowlegs can leave the nest and find food just one day old! - Sometimes they wade so deep their whole head goes underwater! - Their flexible bill tip helps them find worms underground! - They migrate further than almost any other shorebird! ## Special abilities - **Bill Sensor:** Greater Yellowlegs can detect hidden prey by probing mud, thanks to sensitive nerve endings in their bill tip. - **Deep Wader:** Greater Yellowlegs has super long yellow legs that help them wade into deeper water to catch food. - **Air Marathoner:** Greater Yellowlegs has powerful wings that help them fly thousands of miles during incredible migrations. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 29-40 cm - **Wingspan:** 66-76 cm - **Weight:** 0.12-0.22 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-4 - **Incubation:** 22-25 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mostly eat small fish, aquatic insects, and tiny crustaceans caught in shallow waters. - **Primary Foods:** small fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, marine worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — A swift predator that hunts shorebirds during migration. - **Eaten by:** [American Mink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-mink) (*Mustela vison*) — May prey on eggs and chicks in nesting areas. - **Eaten by:** [Herring Gull](https://www.snappit.app/explore/herring-gull) (*Larus argentatus*) — Opportunistic predator of eggs and chicks. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Greater Yellowlegs? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Greater Yellowlegs? 29-40 cm ### What is Greater Yellowlegs's wingspan? 66-76 cm ### How much does Greater Yellowlegs weigh? 0.12-0.22 kg ### How long does Greater Yellowlegs live? 5-15 years ### How fast can Greater Yellowlegs move? 60 km/h ### What does Greater Yellowlegs eat? They mostly eat small fish, aquatic insects, and tiny crustaceans caught in shallow waters. ### Where is Greater Yellowlegs usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Academy Grove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/academy-grove-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/august-a-busch-memorial-conservation-area) — Missouri, US · Nature Reserve - [Guard Island Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guard-island-light) — US · Historic District - [Humboldt Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/humboldt-botanical-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Stratford Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stratford-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Greater Yellowlegs](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/greater-yellowlegs) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Greater Yellowlegs: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-yellowlegs)