I've never been able to distinguish the two. I think the problem has been that I've seen mostly greater yellowlegs and very few if any lessers. Today I think I got a picture of a lesser with a greater (the greater isn't in the best focus, but he's about 30% bigger than the lesser). Am I correct on this one?
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Greater Yellowlegs / Lesser Yellowlegs (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dave S
- Start date
Hi Dave,
I usually used the bill lenght to distinguish between this two. If the bill is larger than the head length so it is a Greater and if the bill lenght is almost the same as the head length so it is a Lesser. The only thing as AKestrel3 mention is that you need to get a really good view of the bird by the side to get the real perspective of the bill/head leght.
If this picture as you mention the on on the front is a lesser and the one on the back is a greater.
Alejandro
I usually used the bill lenght to distinguish between this two. If the bill is larger than the head length so it is a Greater and if the bill lenght is almost the same as the head length so it is a Lesser. The only thing as AKestrel3 mention is that you need to get a really good view of the bird by the side to get the real perspective of the bill/head leght.
If this picture as you mention the on on the front is a lesser and the one on the back is a greater.
Alejandro
London Birder
Well-known member
very nice photo for comparative purposes ... agree with above comments
