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Lesser yellowlegs are common in winter in the continental US and put on a somewhat brighter breeding plumage during the spring and summer. They nest in wet boreal forests and spend a lot of time perched high in spruce trees, as some of these birds are doing. Nesting birds will protest vigorously if an intruder (such as a person) gets anywhere near their nests. Lesser yellowlegs are rather similar to their larger relative, the greater yellowlegs, but have a shorter bill relative to head size. One of these images shows a lesser yellowlegs in front of two greater yellowlegs, and the size difference is apparent. Also, the two species have different alarm calls: the lesser typically gives a two-note call while the greater gives three or more notes. The photos of the breeding plumage birds were taken at Twin Lakes, near Churchill, Manitoba and in Anchorage, Alaska; the winter-plumaged individuals were photographed in late summer at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area near Riverside, California. |
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