09/04/2026
This is such a helpful comparison! I saw a Solitary Sandpiper along the Otterbahn Slough on August 22 and those field marks— the eye ring and the contrasty speckled back— were quite noticeable. My clients Phil and Joe brought good luck on that trip. I’d never seen a Solitary Sandpiper here before, and we also watched humpback whales feeding near Outside Beach that day. Awesome!
Bird ID Tips with Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Today’s comparison: Greater Yellowlegs (GRYE), Lesser Yellowlegs (LEYE) and Solitary Sandpiper (SOSA)
🐦 GRYE beaks are roughly 1.3x the length of the head, compared to an equal measurement of LEYE.
🐦 GRYE bills are often slightly curved upward and show a pale area near the base, compared to the dark, straight, needle-like bill of LEYE.
🐦 Typically, GRYE calls are 3-4+ ringing notes, compared to 1-2 softer notes for LEYE.
🐦 SOSA legs are a duller greenish-yellow. They show a pronounced eyering and more contrast on the back patterning.
Which field mark do you rely on most when telling these species apart? What species do you want to see compared next? Let us know in the comments!
Want to learn more about shorebirds? BSBO's next Birds at Home Virtual Learning Series is focused on shorebird identification! Learn more at https://www.bsbo.org/birds-at-home.html
