This is bird note.

The competition for loudest bird is a crowded field. But when the shorebirds called lesser

yellowlegs sense a threat to their nest, they'll put up an unforgettable racket

to drive the danger away.

Smaller and with a shorter bill than the greater yellow legs, lesser yellow legs have a personality all their own.

Unlike most shorebirds, they sing to attract mates while flying or perching up in a tree like a songbird. Although they're

they're widespread in North and South America, lesser yellow legs have lost over half

their numbers in the last 50 years.

They're named a tipping point species

in the latest state of the birds report,

meaning they're a common bird that's at risk

of a big decline in the coming years.

Lesser yellow legs face several challenges,

including loss of habitat and the use of agricultural chemicals

in areas where they stop during migration and spend the winter.

Oil and gas development as well as climate change threatens their northern breeding grounds,

and they're hunted in some Caribbean and South American countries.

That means protecting wetlands, addressing climate change,

and using sustainable farming practices can all help make sure

that this species stays common, loud and proud throughout the Americas.

For Bird Note, I'm Ariana Rummel. This show is brought to you by Pacific Bird's Habitat Joint Venture, which works to ensure

wild birds thrive in abundant and diverse habitats.

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