Lesser Yellowlegs

There is probably more confusion distinguishing Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs than any other pair of species in North America, except possibly Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned-Hawks. Lesser Yellowlegs is similar in all respects to Greater Yellowlegs, but smaller in size and has a shorter, straighter bill. If vocal, they are easily distinguished by voice (Lesser’s call has only two syllables). They are also often found together with either each other or with other reference shore birds, at which times the size difference is readily noticeable.