Greater yellowlegs

Greater yellowlegs wading through shallow blue water with its reflection, Manitoba

The greater yellowlegs is a tall, long-legged sandpiper with bright yellow legs and a long, slightly upturned bill. Its back is dark and spotted with white, and its underparts are heavily barred and streaked, especially in spring and summer.

It nests in the northern boreal wetlands and passes through Manitoba in spring and fall, wading in shallow water along marshes, ponds, and lake edges. It is a noisy, wary bird, and its loud, ringing whistled calls are often the first sign it has spotted you.

The long bright yellow legs of a greater yellowlegs are a favourite of mine, as is how tall and alert it stands in the shallows.

Curious about the greater yellowlegs and its habitat? Learn more on its page at All About Birds.

Field notes in photographs

  • Greater yellowlegs wading through shallow blue water with its reflection, Manitoba
  • Three greater yellowlegs wading in shallow water, one catching a small fish, Manitoba
  • Greater yellowlegs wading with a raised leg
  • Greater yellowlegs wading in a rocky shallows, Manitoba

Greater yellowlegs Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the greater yellowlegs in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the greater yellowlegs nests and migrates, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the greater yellowlegs in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Shield, the Taiga Shield, the Hudson Plains, and the Boreal Plains (gold) and passing through the Prairies in spring and fall (lilac). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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