This species is patterned like Greater Yellowlegs, but is smaller with a shorter bill, has proportionally longer legs and a different call. In all plumages, the legs are yellow to yellow-orange. Wingtips extend well beyond the tail. The bill is black, straight, and slightly longer than the total length of the head. Alternate Adult: Upperparts and breast are mottled black, dull brown and white, with just a hint of a pale supercilium. The belly and vent are white, with limited dark barring on the sides. Basic Adult: More uniform gray to brownish-gray with blurry streaks on the neck and breast, and fine white spotting on the edges of the flight feathers. Juvenile: Similar to basic adult, but with larger white spots on the edges of the wing feathers. In side-by-side comparisons with Greater Yellowlegs, usually looks more densely spotted. In flight: White rump and base of tail are obvious. Entire foot and a bit of the tarsus extends back beyond the tail.

Length: 23 (cm) Wingspan: 59 (cm)

Voice:

Call is tu tu; usually two notes, sometimes one. Song is a rolling wheedle-oree.

Habitat:

Breeds in open woodlands, woodland/tundra transition zone, bogs. In migration, uses mudflats, shallow pools, wet meadows.

Behavior:

Both species of yellowlegs occasionally rock backwards when feeding or standing. Usually holds wings out for a moment after landing. Occasionally swims. Tends to move about more quickly, but with less jerky/lurching motions, making it seem more graceful than Greater Yellowlegs.

Feeding:

Walks along water's edge or wades into belly-deep shallows to hunt for invertebrates. Occasionally takes small fish. Sometimes feeds while swimming.