The Greater Yellowlegs breeds in wetland habitats across boreal and subarctic North America. Although it is common and widespread, it breeds and migrates in low densities and is difficult to monitor. Nevertheless, three different surveys contribute information to the assessment of this species, and indicate that the species is more abundant in Canada now than it was in the early 1970s. With over 80% of the global breeding population, Canada’s responsibility for the species is very high. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Historically, populations of Greater Yellowlegs were depressed by hunting (Stone 1937). Although the species is now protected from sport hunting in North America, sport and subsistence hunting elsewhere in the Americas continues (Hutt 1991). Greater Yellowlegs are potentially susceptible to loss of wetlands in the non-breeding range, but will readily use flooded agricultural lands in place of natural wetlands (Elphick and Oring 1998). Climate change is expected to have a negative effect on boreal shorebird breeding habitat through increased fire frequency and intensity, and loss of wetland habitat to forest drying - especially in the southern boreal (Stewart et al. 1998, Soja et al. 2006). Because the northern limit of the boreal forest is expected to advance much more slowly than the encroaching deciduous forests and grasslands from the south, reduction in the overall size of the boreal forest and thus available breeding habitat is possible (Stewart et al. 1998, Soja et al. 2006). However, because this species’ population appears to be increasing in Canada, these threats are not currently considered serious conservation concerns.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
