photo by Phil Swanson

Tringa melanoleuca
L 14″(36 cm).

Song or calls:
“Kyew-kyew-kyew.”

Description: Sexes similar. Long bright yellow legs are distinctive. Long, slightly upturned bill. Grayish-brown with black and white mottling above (paler in nonbreeding plumage); white below with dark streaking on neck and breast and barring on sides (less extensive streaking on neck and barring much paler or absent in nonbreeding plumage). Bill is somewhat broad at the base and about one and a half times as long as the head. In flight, look for pale spotting on inner primaries.

Habitat: Migrating birds can be found on ponds, marshes, creeks, mudflats, and flooded fields.

Where in Nebraska: Common spring and fall migrant across the state.

 
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