sandpipers

Greater Yellow Legs

Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca, are large sandpipers that are bigger than robins and smaller than crows. They are easy to identify because of their color pattern of white with black and brown spots. Greater Yellowlegs have long necks, long yellow legs, and thick-based but long black bills. Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs look similar, but the Greater Yellowlegs are larger and less delicate birds.
This species is commonly seen in Florida wetlands during winter. However, greater yellowlegs also spend time in the Mexico-US border and Central and South America during the non-breeding season. When it is time for breeding, Greater Yellowlegs stay along the Canada-US border. During migration season, the birds inhabit most of the United States, southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
The diet of Greater Yellowlegs consists mostly of insects and small fish, but they also feed on small forms of marine life such as snails, tadpoles, and marine worms.
During the winter Floridians will have the opportunity to observe this incredible species.
Author: Steven Marquez – Student, Valencia College
Work Cited: “Greater Yellowlegs.” Audubon, Accessed on 12 November 2021
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Sanderling

Sanderlings, Calidris alba, are chubby little sandpipers that grow to only 7 or 8 inches, weigh 1.5 to 3 .5 ounces, and have a wingspan of up to 13.8 inches.
Sanderlings breed in the arctic tundra and migrate to the southern United States and South America in the fall where they spend their winters. Non-breeding adults may choose to avoid the long flight to the arctic and spend their summers in the hotter climates.
Look for Sanderlings foraging on Florida’s beaches and sometimes in mudflats. These shorebirds use their little black legs to run fast to snatch up prey when the tide recedes and run away as the tide rolls in. Their black beaks are perfect for plucking aquatic invertebrates, most often sand crabs, from the sand. Sanderlings also dine on small mollusks, insects, worms, grasses, seeds, and human junk food.
Sadly, Sanderlings are listed as a species of high concern by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network due to declining populations. Threats include the development and alteration of shoreline habitats, pesticide pollution, and oil spills.
Sanderlings are fierce defenders of their feeding grounds. Humans can be fierce defenders of their feeding grounds too. Participate in beach cleanups, leave nothing behind when you visit a beach and advocate for the preservation of Sanderling’s natural habitat.
Photo Credit: David Gale
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