Yellowlegs identification - which one is it? Greater or Lesser yellowlegs?

This is a widespread problem, telling the Greater and Lesser yellowlegs apart. A problem from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego and beyond. It sometimes seems like there is an "intermediate" yellowlegs, as our focus on size can be unreliable when a bird is by itself. Plumage differences do not help much. The key is shape and structure, bill size and color, as well as neck shape. I hope this helps!! Get out there and try out these features.

[@kurtniznik8116]

Very thorough breakdown of the differences and very well explained. Thank you Alvaro, great video!

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

Thank you Kurt

[@dianesmigelski5804]

I learned good tips. Thanks. Water birds are hard for me and I’m making it my goal to get better with them. 👍

[@suzanneenos5314]

Thank you ! The bill length and forehead tips are essential !!

[@susankritzik9555]

Excellent and helpful!
Thank you, Alvaro.

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

Thanks Susan. I am glad it was helpful.

[@maxt_birding]

Oh my gosh this is badass! Love it

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful video 🐦👍

[@TexNCalGal]

Very clear and helpful. Thank you, Alvaro!

[@heliodoxa]

I truly enjoy your explanations. Thank you for doing this video.

[@carolcomeau98]

Thank you so much! I am very excited to put my new knowledge to use in the field! You did a great job!

[@DalsPhotography]

Just excellent! Thank you very much for this hard work .

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

thank you!

[@centralvalleybirdclub6105]

Thanks for this video! I learn some new key things to look for; bulge & angle of neck I never knew.

[@susanhons2393]

Excellent as always and very helpful. I think I've got it now!

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

Thank you!

[@kevros82]

Great video! Keep ‘em coming!

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

I will be doing more, not all on ID, but more stuff to come.

[@SeantheBioBro]

great video

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

Thanks!

[@wolv57]

Look up the article "Why are Yellowlegs hard to identify" by David Sibley. In it he comments... This is the same image seen at the start of this post. It shows the shortest-billed Greater (upper) and a long-billed Lesser (lower), with head sizes matched to emphasize relative bill length. In this case the relative bill length is essentially identical.

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

note that this image was made by Peter Burke. It is for a book project, and not the same image as that from David Sibley.

[@wolv57]

Yes. I realize that. Look up the article i mentioned where Sibly illustrates that the bill length of the lesser and greater yellowlegs can overlap due to individual variation. @@birdingyourbestlife6877

[@birdwatchinglife]

nice video

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

Thank you!

[@user-gl4df4gw4j]

תודה!!.

[@joshuasmith1215]

Great info! I went back through some photos I have taken the last couple years to see if I could do a better job at identifying. I have one that I thought was a lesser but has that neck bulge going on. The bill is just barely longer than the head so it really trips me up. There must be some variation in bill length?

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

I would say that bill length is more important than the neck bulge. Is the photo somewhere?

[@Gelsomina248]

Thanks so much for this detailed video regarding the Yellowlegs. I was able to identify the bird I photographed today using your identifiers, and now have the info needed to differentiate between the two when out in the field again. Thanks again!