Tringa flavipes

Most classifications regard greater (Tringa melanoleuca) and lesser yellowlegs (T. flavipes) as closely related species; however, some evidence suggests that the yellowlegs are not sister taxa (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999). Recent phylogenetic analysis supports placing greater yellowlegs as a sister species to spotted redshank (T. erythropus), with lesser yellowlegs among an unresolved group of other tringines, including marsh sandpiper (T. stagnatilis), common redshank (T. totanus), and common greenshank (T. nebularia) (Chu 1995, Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999).

Large nesting range in North America; large population size; some evidence indicates declining abundance; better information on trend and threats is needed.

Breeding range extends from north-central Quebec to western Alaska and from the southern portions of the Prairie Provinces to northern Mackenzie (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999); unconfirmed breeding reported south to southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. During the nonbreeding season, this species occurs mainly from the southern United States (Texas, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina) south through Middle America, West Indies (present all year in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands), and South America (to Tierra del Fuego); the major coastal nonbreeding areas in South America are the Guyanas, especially Suriname (Morrison and Ross 1989); uncommon but regular in Hawaii. Nonbreeders may summer in the winter range.

This species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations). Population estimates for the 2000 - 2005 timeframe is about 400,000 individuals (Morrison, et. al. 2006).

Potential or localized threats include habitat degradation on breeding and wintering grounds, exposure to contaminants, and sport hunting.

DEGRADATION OF HABITAT: In some areas this species is threatened by habitat loss from development (e.g., wetland drainage) or alteration as a result of road construction or agricultural practices. However, this species will nest along seismic lines, in agricultural fields, and along roadsides, suggesting it can adapt to habitat change (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999). Many wetlands along migratory routes and wintering areas were destroyed or manipulated in the early 1900s; wooded wetland habitats in Central and South American wintering range continue to be altered and lost at considerable rates (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999).

CONTAMINATION: Birds may be exposed to oil, pesticides, and other contaminants in estuaries, flooded agricultural fields, and sewage lagoon habitats (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999). During a five-year study (1967-1971) on the effects of the organochlorine aldrin on rice fields in the Texas Gulf coast, twelve birds were found dead of aldrin-dieldrin poisoning. Tissues collected from several birds near Corpus Christi, Texas contained relatively high levels of selenium. Elevated levels of the organochlorine DDE were found in tissues of migrant birds collected in Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999).

HUNTING: During the early twentieth century, lesser yellowlegs was a popular game species; large numbers were harvested at many migration and wintering sites (Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999). After the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1927), shorebird hunting declined throughout North America; however, as recently as 1991, several thousand lesser yellowlegs were still being shot annually by sport hunters in Barbados; a few birds were shot illegally each fall (1976-1989) at a site in British Columbia; and several recent observations of crippled birds or birds missing feet and legs in Alaska and British Columbia may be attributed to hunting (Senner and Howe 1984, Tibbitts and Moskoff 1999).