May Bird of the Month is the Semipalmated Sandpiper, and here is the article in the May-June Kite written by Ben Kolstad.

The May bird of the month,Calidris pusilla,is one of several small sandpipers known in birding circles as “peeps.” Its name “semipalmated,” which means that it has webbing between its toes, may make you think that the feet could be useful in identifying this bird. Unfortunately, the peep most likely to cause confusion with this one is its close cousin Western, the only other small sandpiper with webbing between the toes.

ID: Note that bill shape can be misleading: although it tends to be longer and droopier at the tip than Western, this trait is variable and overlaps enough to cause confusion if this is the only field mark you can find. So – start with body shape: its belly and breast have been described as “robust,” making the head look more rounded than Western. Next, posture: Semipalmated tends to distribute its weight more evenly over the legs than Western, which often looks “front-heavy” by comparison. Behavior is often a good indicator: Semipalmateds tend to be more aggressive than other peeps, often seen fighting with nearby birds. Color can be another clue: in winter, Semipalmated Sandpipers are noticeably darker than Westerns, our palest peep, and stand out prominently.

Also, keep in mind that very few Semipalmateds winter in the States, and those tend to stay in the Keys, rarely straying north of Florida Bay.

Eastern-Arctic-breeding populations of Semipalmated Sandpiper appear to be in decline; this bird made the yellow Watch List (widespread but with troubling declines and high threats) in the 2014 State of the Birds report.

(Photographer’s please note that next month’s June 2016 Bird will be the Willet)