Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)

Identification & Behavior: ~31.5 cm (12.4 in). The Greater Yellowlegs in basic plumage is mostly gray with a pale belly and yellow legs. The alternate plumage is darker with more accentuated specks, barring, and yellower legs. It is very similar to the Lesser Yellowlegs but is distinguished by its larger size and by having a proportionally longer, thicker, and slightly upturned bill.

Status: The Greater Yellowlegs is a common Boreal Migrant found in a number of habitats and elevations throughout Peru. It is common during the months of September through April and rare throughout the rest of the year as some birds overwinter in South America. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, Ch.

Name in Spanish: Playero Pata Amarilla Mayor.

Sub-species: Greater Yellowlegs  (Tringa melanoleuca), J. F. Gmelin 1789.

Meaning of Name: Tringa: Gr. A white wagging tail bird mentioned by Aristotle without being completely identified, but taken by later authors as a torch or wagtail. melanoleuca: Gr. melas= black and leukos= white.

See more of the Family Scolopacidae