Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

Migration Habitat 1st alternative:
      (Lake or Pond or River)
   adjacent to:
      Shorelines/Mudflats

Migration Habitat 2nd alternative:
      Sedge Meadow

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Preferred breeding habitat includes tundra and muskeg where nesting occurs in depressions on the ground, sometimes quite removed from the marshes, ponds, and bogs used for feeding.

A Lesser Yellowlegs was discovered in an area of tamarack, black spruce, and sedges. This habitat is part of a unique boreal bog community typical of the North.

Habitat: Marshes, mudflats, shores, ponds; in summer, open boreal woods. Occurs widely in migration, including coastal estuaries, salt and fresh marshes, edges of lakes and ponds; typically more common on freshwater habitats. Often in same places as Greater Yellowlegs, but may be less frequent on tidal flats. Breeds in large clearings, such as burned areas, near ponds in northern forest.

Diet: Insects, small fish, crustaceans. Eats many aquatic insects, including beetles, water boatmen, dragonfly nymphs, crane fly larvae, and others; also terrestrial insects. Also feeds on crustaceans, snails, worms, small fish. Insects make up most of diet in summer.

Nest: Site is on ground in open, typically in dry spot and sometimes far from water; may be placed close to log, burned stump, brushpile. Nest is a shallow depression sparsely lined with leaves, grass.