Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)

It's always a red-letter day for me when I spot and identify a species of bird that is new to me so last week's trip to Witty's Lagoon was made especially memorable by the sighting of a half dozen Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). The tide was out so the mud flat at the upper end of the lagoon was a perfect hunting ground for these birds who feed on insects and small fish and crustaceans.
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3 comments:

  1. Dean LewisApril 25, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    A unique looking bird.
    Must feeling like finding gem.
    Do you identify them onsite with your bird book on hand, or later?
    -

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  2. JoJoApril 25, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    He or she has really cool feather markings! I wonder, is there a Greater Yellowlegs?

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  3. Benjamin MadisonApril 26, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    @Dean: When I'm out I usually just concentrate on trying to get the best photo so that I can identify whatever I see later at home. I have 3 or 4 field guides I use.

    @JoJo: Yes there is a Greater Yellowlegs - almost identical but larger. I couldn't tell the difference but a poster put up by the nature centre at Witty's identifies this bird as the Lesser Yellowlegs.

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