GREATER YELLOWLEG
In addition to the Long-billed dowitchers, one greater and four lesser yellow legs were working the same mud flat. The Greater yellow leg providing an opportunity to compare the two species. For identification of the Greater, I hang my hat on it's two toned billed. For me size does not help unless one has both species present for comparison. One of the Lessers for tomorrow. Market Lake WMA, Robert's, Idaho.
PS Two Flickr friends pointed out the length of the bill was the most helpful distinguishing feature aside from size. The bill of the greater is approximately 1.5 times the length of the head with the lesser's bill length equal to the head length.
GREATER YELLOWLEG
In addition to the Long-billed dowitchers, one greater and four lesser yellow legs were working the same mud flat. The Greater yellow leg providing an opportunity to compare the two species. For identification of the Greater, I hang my hat on it's two toned billed. For me size does not help unless one has both species present for comparison. One of the Lessers for tomorrow. Market Lake WMA, Robert's, Idaho.
PS Two Flickr friends pointed out the length of the bill was the most helpful distinguishing feature aside from size. The bill of the greater is approximately 1.5 times the length of the head with the lesser's bill length equal to the head length.