Lesser Yellowlegs (alternate)
The Lesser Yellowlegs is a long-legged shorebird with a straight, medium-length bill. It has a fairly slender and attenuated structure. In alternate plumage it has less barring on its flanks than the Greater.
Lesser Yellowlegs (basic)
Lesser Yellowlegs (juvenile)
The Lesser Yellowlegs in juvenile plumage is shown below. Note the immaculate condition of the feathers in the mantle, coverts, and scapulars. In the photo with 2 birds, the juvenile is on the left and on the right is an adult that is beginning to molt into basic plumage.
Comparisons
Greater Yellowlegs vs Lesser Yellowlegs
The Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs can be distinguished by comparison of the bill length with the length of the head. As shown below, the Lesser’s bill is approximately the same length as the head is wide, while the Greater’s bill is about 1.5 times the width of the head.
The Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs are directly compared in the photos below. Note that the Greater has an overall more robust structure, while the Lesser is usually more delicate. When directly compared the Greater is much larger and in alternate plumage has more barring on the flanks. Also note the slightly up-turned bill of the Greater, while the Lesser’s bill is very straight.
