Posted by Sally King on October 30, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Taken today at the Bosque de Apache. There was a handful of these wading in the water in search of food. I went through Sibley and several times thought I had made an id but then changed my mind. Don't see all that many wading birds here so help with an id would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Mia McPherson on October 30, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Sally,
This is a Greater Yellowlegs.
The Greater and the Lesser Yellowlegs have similar feather patterns.
The bill on the greater is longer and slightly upturned, usually the bill is 1 1/2 times the width of the head, while the lesser's bill is usually about the same or a touch longer than the width of the head.
The Lesser is smaller than the Greater by about 3 1/2 inches.
Posted by Drew Fulton on October 30, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Lia's got it. Greater Yellowlegs with all the key points.
Posted by Luke Ormand on October 30, 2009 at 9:06 AM
Greater
Posted by Sally King on October 30, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Thank you all for your help. That makes three new birds for me yesterday at the Bosque.
Posted by Luke Ormand on October 30, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Discussion
5 repliesThis is a Greater Yellowlegs.
The Greater and the Lesser Yellowlegs have similar feather patterns.
The bill on the greater is longer and slightly upturned, usually the bill is 1 1/2 times the width of the head, while the lesser's bill is usually about the same or a touch longer than the width of the head.
The Lesser is smaller than the Greater by about 3 1/2 inches.