Sounds

Development

Juveniles are capable of thin, hoarse versions of the common adult call (see below) at about age 4 wk, and song at about 8 wk (TLT).

Vocal Array

No systematic studies of vocalizations. Most frequently heard vocalization is a loud, clear, ringing call, usually consisting of 3 notes (occasionally 1–4), the third often sounding lower than the others. This call has been variously described and is quite variable (see Fig. 2A and B), even within an individual: teu teu teu, wheu wheu wheu, whew whew whew, pheu pheu pheu, etc. (Nichols 1920, Stone 1937, Marchant et al. 1986). Nichols (1920) suggests various functions for different variants of this call. Call emitted at frequency of 2–4 kHz, each note lasting <0.1 s and the entire sequence lasting about 0.4 s (see Fig. 2A). This call is similar to that of Common Greenshank, which has been heard to respond (Boston et al. 1949).

Loud, incessant kip, kelp, keu, or kek calls also given when disturbed, often in monotonic series, lasting for up to 30 min if nests or chicks are in danger (Stuart 1920, Farley 1931, Stone 1937, Godfrey 1966). Frequency of repetition of these notes varies greatly from approximately 5 notes/s, to 1 note every few seconds (CSE; Fig. 2C and D). More frantic, louder version of this call given near nest or young (TLT, CSE). Similar, though less intense and quieter, calls given during copulation: One bird starts calling quite slowly; mate joins in as pace quickens. Eventually, calls given so rapidly that vocalizations of the 2 birds cannot be distinguished (TLT, CSE from recordings made by L. Oring; Fig. 3A–C). Sometimes this Copulation Chatter is preceded by brief song (Fig. 3D). Quieter chup call often associated with landing or taking off; a kyow given during spring migration and possibly associated with breeding; and a “conversational murmuring, from a flock dropping in”, also have been reported (Nichols 1920: 530).

Song (Fig. 3E) consists of continuous, rolling, melodious series of too-whee notes, with occasional breaks of up to 30 s (Johnsgard 1981, Marchant et al. 1986). Rowan (1929) and Farley (1931) also describe a second song type, rendered as wigg-i-ly-wigg-i-ly, etc., with emphasis on first note. Other descriptions of song notes include oi-e-oo-oi-e-oo, tweda, or wull yer (Rowan 1929, Johnsgard 1981). Variants range to much less musical, harsher notes, more like alarm calls in tone. Harsh klak klak call sometimes given simultaneously with song during Flight Displays (CSE, TLT; see Behavior: sexual behavior, below).

On breeding grounds, variety of soft, muted notes given between members of presumed pairs in close proximity. These include a quiet mew, a squeaky chup chup, a klee klee, and a piping teu teu, the latter 3 resembling call notes, but much quieter and not given in association with agitated behavior (CSE, TLT).

Greenwalt (1968) demonstrated that Greater Yellowlegs can produce distinct sounds from 2 bronchi simultaneously.

Calls given by both sexes. No information on differences between sexes or geographic variation in vocalizations. Not known whether both sexes sing. Chick calls are high-pitched and variable, audible at tens of meters.

Phenology

Calls heard throughout year. Song sometimes heard during spring migration in Pacific Northwest (Paulson 1993, M. Price pers. comm.). Yodeling tóowhee and toor-loo notes attributed to migrant birds in e. U.S. (Nichols 1920, Stone 1937) may also be breeding-season song. Stone (1937) stated that these vocalizations were heard only in spring. In Alaska, birds sing upon arrival in mid-Apr. Songs associated with Flight Displays (see Behavior: sexual behavior, below) peak mid-May. Short songs, without undulating Flight Display, given throughout summer.

Daily Pattern

No quantitative data. Calls given at all times of day and during night.

Places Of Vocalizing

Generally gives teu teu teu call in flight, but also from ground. Repeated kip notes often given from ground, but also occasionally in flight, especially when flushed or circling intruder. Song usually, but not always, associated with Flight Display (see Behavior: sexual behavior, below); also given during directed flight, and from perches and ground.

Repertoire And Delivery Of Songs

Needs study.

Social Context And Presumed Functions

Nichols (1920) gave detailed descriptions of 9 different vocalizations, from birds seen on migration, to which he ascribed different functions: yodeling tóowhee notes (locatory), various uses of wheu and whew notes (flight, recruiting, protest, and conversational calls), “conversational murmuring” (companionship), chup notes (alighting and flushing), and kyow (suspicion). Further work is required to assess whether these are distinct vocalizations and to verify their proposed functions. In more general terms, the teu teu teu flight call appears to be used to signify the presence of a bird; repetitive kip notes seem to indicate agitation or distress (although similar notes are also given during copulation), and the rolling breeding song seems to advertise territory and attract mates. Song often given by birds on nesting territories after potential predator or conspecific has passed through area, while joining conspecifics at foraging sites, or before copulation, suggesting that it has multiple functions, as in other Tringa species (Oring 1968, Nethersole-Thompson and Nethersole-Thompson 1979). Muted, soft versions of alarm calls typically given between members of assumed pairs and presumably are associated with pair-bond formation and/or maintenance, although no detailed study of this. Quiet mewing calls appear to be associated with solicitation (TLT, CSE).

None reported.