Yellowlegs is the name of two species of shore birds that have black and white markings and long yellow legs. The greater yellowlegs measures about 15 inches (38 centimeters) in length, and the lesser yellowlegs is a little over 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. Both can be seen along shores, ponds, and marshes during their flight north in spring. They nest in northern North America. In winter, they fly as far south as southern Chile in South America. Yellowlegs lay four buff or tan eggs. They have a flutelike whistle that hunters imitated to lure them to decoys. At one time, they became rare because many people hunted them. Now, federal laws protect them and they are again becoming common.
