Philatelic of birds

40th anniversary of the convention on wetlands

2012-02-02T21:03:00.001+08:00

40th anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands
(拉姆薩濕地公約40週年)
Belarus (2011)
15th November, 2011. Kobryn Brest Reg.

In 2/2/1961, 18 initial signatory nations signed a convention in Ramsar, Iran which related to protect important wetlands in the world. The former-USSR is one of signatory nation, and of course the convention also effected to Belarus. After its 40 years, total 160 countries and areas are the signatory nations which includes the newest member Laos.

A special envelope illustrated couple of Mallard (綠頭鴨) to commemorate this event by Belarus Post. Although Belarus is a small country in eastern Europe, it has Sporovsky, Pripyat, Prostyr, Zvanets, Olmanskie Marsh, Yelnya", Osveysky, Kotra and Berezina Biosphere Reserve etc. valuable wetlands to keep the country biodiversity.

Extra make-up rate stamp is illustrated Burbot (江鱈), which is a classics river fish to be found in cold areas of higher than Latitude 45º N, Asia and Europe.

Archaeopteryx

2012-01-28T23:55:00.002+08:00

Archaeopteryx (始祖鳥)
Germany (2011)
11th August, 2011. Rehburg-Loccum

Archaeopteryx was decided as original bird but it subsequently classify as Archaeopterygidae (始祖鳥科) under Reptilia (爬行綱) on 1871, after 10 years of the discovery of first fossil in Germany. Archaeopteryx lives in Late Jurassic Period (晚侏羅紀) around 155 million to 150 million years ago mostly inhabits in Europe, when there were islands nearest Equator. Now 11 fossils are discovered and store in individual museum.

The pictorial postmark illustrated what does Archaeopteryx look like, Rehburg-Loccum and Eichstätt are the places in Germany discover fossil of Archaeopteryx.

Thanks to Wolfgang who sent me these two first day covers with special pictorial postmark.

Archaeopteryx (始祖鳥)
Germany (2011)
11th August, 2011. Eichstätt

Archaeopteryx (始祖鳥)
Germany (2011)
18th November, 2011. Solnhofen

Cape Parrot

2012-01-24T00:47:00.006+08:00

Cape Parrot (海角鸚鵡)
South Africa (2011)
20th July, 2011. Tshwane

In 2010, South Africa continues to issue their popular domestic bird series stamps, it was fifth in the series and as before, each set features five species. This time, five forest birds are the actors and I only selected Cape Parrot for my collection. According to the stamps quite expensive, I gave up to collect whole set of stamps, even they seem beautiful enough.

Originally Cape Parrot has three sub-species separately endemic to South Africa (Cape Parrot / Poicephalus robustus robustus (海角鸚鵡)) ; middle of Africa (Grey-headed Parrot / P. r. suahelicus (灰頭鸚鵡)) and West Africa (Brown-necked Parrot / P. r. fuscicollis (啡頸海角鸚鵡)), however after reclassified they were become three individual species and the scientific name of Cape Parrot becomes Poicephalus fuscicollis. Now this species probably endemic to south-east of South Africa and border of Mozambique.

Owls of Taiwan

2012-01-20T00:52:00.005+08:00

From left to right :
NT$25 : Collared Owlet (鵂鶹) ; NT$10 : Tawny Owl (灰林鴞)
NT$5 : Oriental Scops-Owl (東方角鴞)
NT$5 : Northern Long-eared Owl (長耳鴞)
Taiwan (2011)
8th August, 2011. Sinyi, Nantou

Taiwan again to issue bird stamps in this year. So disappointing, the stamps don't respond my demand as they seem missing something. Also, so pity that the original first day cover was lost and above one is redone after one month of day of issue.

Four species not very attractive but all of them illustrated endemic subspecies, except Collared Owlet. As the stamps printed in recess procedure, it is hardly to identify and make confusing to birdwatchers.

White-backed Woodpecker

2012-01-14T18:46:00.001+08:00

White-backed Woodpecker (大赤啄木)
Finland (2010)
18th January, 2011. Helsinki

White-backed Woodpecker is a common woodpecker widely distributed in Eurasia, it overall similar to Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鳥) but the snap of male White-backed Woodpecker is in red colour, and white bars across the wings.

Above pre-paid postcard issued by Finland illustrated different views of the bird in both sides, either of female in left and male in right side. In Finland, and nearby Nordic countries only can be found the nominate subspecies, however the population decreasing according to the inhabit lost.

Indepex 2000

2012-01-09T23:51:00.008+08:00

Clockwise from top-left of block of 4 :
Rosy Starling (粉紅椋鳥) ; Garganey (白眉鴨)
Forest Wagtail (山鶺鴒) ; White Stork (白鸛)
India (2000)
20th June, 2011. Anna Road, Chennai

To be honest, Indian stamps are not my flavour according to the quality not fulfill my demand, the themes not attractive and print quality are not good as other developed countries. Only few quantity I collected and one of them as above, which is a block of four features birds to commemorate Indepex 2000, it is the last Indian stamp set I collected. Four species are very common to southern Asian countries, and Rosy Starling is one of famous pet-bird in Chinese area.

There also has some stamps on the back of cover, please refer to WWF special page.

Asiatic Lion (亞洲獅)
India (1999)

Definitive of Gibraltar

2012-01-04T22:54:00.002+08:00

From left to right :
E : Eurasian Hoopoe (戴勝) ; 5p : Eurasian Eagle-Owl (鵰鴞)
2p : Balearic Shearwater (巴利阿裡剪嘴鷗) ; 1p : Woodchat Shrike (林鶺伯勞)
Gibraltar (2008)
30th March, 2011. Gibraltar

Unfortunately, until now, my order from Gibraltar still disappear even the post office sent me twice by registered mail. I don't know what reason of this and also a mail from Spain which contains cash not arrive safety. I give up to wait and only can show above cover received on June - it the third one in my collection. Four low-value definitive stamps are affixed on the cover. The background of the stamps, also interesting to show the sight of Rock of Gibraltar in different weathers and visions.

Three of birds except the shearwater are common to be found in southern European countries. However Balearic Shearwater now is endangered bird only actives offshore of Gibraltar and France, area of Mediterranean Sea ; and also North Sea.

Mayotte, after it becomes an overseas department of France

2011-12-28T23:55:00.002+08:00

Front
Clockwise from top-left :
Mayotte White-eye (栗脅繡眼鳥) ; Mayotte Sunbird (馬約島花蜜鳥)
Aldabra Red-headed Fody (阿爾達巴拉紅頭雀) ; Mayotte Drongo (馬約特卷尾)
Mayotte (2002)
12th April, 2011. Mamoudzou

In the beginning of this year, I receive a greetings mail from Mayotte Philatelic Bureau, it let me remember the situation of this remote islands. Mayotte, is an islands between Madagascar and Comoros. They originally are colonies of France, after Madagascar and Comoros got independence, Mayotte still was a territory until 2010, when the residents voted and decided become an overseas department of France. Since 1892 the colonies government issued its first set of stamps, then for a long period Mayotte were using nearby colonies or French stamps until 1997, when a set of overprinted Marianne issued and Mayotte has its own stamps again.

Above mail specially requested to be sent after March 31, the day becomes an overseas department of France. However all kind of things are never change. The bird stamps on the envelope are endemic species of Mayotte, except Aldabra Red-headed Fody - it also to be found in Seychelles.

The latest issue, as shown below, issued on April 4 still bearing 'Mayotte' name is a Madagascar Bee-eater. The species only endemic to Madagascar, Mayotte and Comoros ; and also parts of Namibia and Mozambique.

Confirmed in mid-2011, Mayotte will use French stamps again after December 31, that means Mayotte stamps will be discontinued on 2012. If you still missing a mail from this islands, still have 3 days to get it.

Back
Madagascar Bee-eater (馬達加斯加蜂虎)
Mayotte (2011)

Common Kingfisher

2011-12-26T03:15:00.000+08:00

Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
Hungary (2001)
18th October, 2010. Nyíregyházai

Although kingfisher is a common bird in the world, seems I never specially show an item only with this species. Above maxicard arranged on late-September before the aluminum accident in Kolontár. However, it is not much relationship to the card, or say the kingfisher. As most of natural conservations are located in the east of Hungary, especially Aggtelek National Park is a main area to find large population of kingfisher, it also is a part of UNESCO world heritage site.

Nyíregyházai is the seventh large city located in the north-east Hungary, it seems a hub to visit nearby national park of conservations.

Season's greetings from the Isle of Man

2011-12-24T21:10:00.006+08:00

European Robin (知更鳥) ; Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)

Isle of Man (2011)
28th September, 2011. Douglas

This year, is Isle of Man's robin Christmas stamp to wish you have Merry Christmas. The stamp, and other five beautiful bird stamps are illustrated by Jeremy Paul who is famous nature illustrator in the island. The set of stamps also feature Sepac and Europa series, but I haven't purchased. Here, shown two maxicards as above and the cover with highest value stamp.

Long-tailed Tit (銀喉長尾山雀)

Isle of Man (2011)
3rd October, 2011. Douglas

Singapore Peranakan Museum

2011-12-19T20:47:00.000+08:00

Singapore Peranakan Museum (土生華人博物館)
Singapore (2008)
16th March, 2011. Clementi West

Peranakan is a group of Chinese who immigrated to Melaka area during 15th to 16th century, after years those Chinese effected by local Malays. As their long-term history in this region, their instruments, gadgets, clothes to accessories are specially mixing with Chinese and Malaya styles, in sharp charmed colours with decorated Chinese luckily plants, animals and birds. In 2008, Singapore specially built a museum to commemorate and show above things of Peranakan culture. A set of 8 stamps issued on the meanwhile to show collection of the museum and 4 of them which are instruments or accessories with bird decoration.

Stamps from left to right are decorations of Phoenix (鳳凰) which is imitation luckily bird in Chinese culture, Tree Sparrow (麻雀), Common Pheasant (雉雞) and Red-crowned Crane (丹頂鶴) respectively. They normally painted on porcelain, jewellery and clothes.

Hummingbirds of Caribbean

2011-12-13T13:34:00.000+08:00

$1.25, 35¢ : Antillean Crested Hummingbird (鳳頭蜂鳥)
30¢, 15¢ : Green-throated Carib (綠喉蜂鳥)
British Virgin Islands (1982)
2nd February, 2011. Road Town, Tortola

Above mail is also come from Caribbean which is the sixteen country of this region, as before not much people known where is British Virgin Islands, but mostly people only known that where is famous place to register company. However, some birds are endemic to this small islands and nearby regions. Antillean Crested Hummingbird and Green-throated Carib are common hummingbirds to be found in Caribbean, they also feature with beautiful and shiny greenish feathers.

50th anniversay of WWF

2011-12-08T02:00:00.000+08:00

From top of first column to bottom of last column :
Eurasian Hobby (燕隼) ; Eurasian Wryneck (蟻鴷) ; Red-backed Shrike (紅背伯勞)
Golden Oriole (金黃鸝) ; Redstart (紅尾鴝)
Eurasian Pygmy Owl (花頭鵂鶹) ; Nightingale (夜鶯) ; Whinchat (草原石即鳥)
Liechtenstein (2011)

9th September, 2011. Vaduz

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of foundation of WWF, couple of countries issued stamps last year. The most interesting stamps possible is Liechtenstein, which is a souvenir sheet features 8 species in Europe, from songbirds to preys of bird. Although the stamp shame in hexagonal shape, overall it looks nice as the birds look inhabit in the forest. The most special is the sheet features 8 variety species while compare to other WWF series maximum in four.

However, they are all very common to be found in European countries, it was quite oddly to the license holder wish endangered species appear on the stamps. Perhaps it changes its mind but it is not good for collector as the series will be overflowed.

Maxicard

From top to bottom :
Red-backed Shrike (紅背伯勞) ; Redstart (紅尾鴝)
Eurasian Wryneck (蟻鴷) ; Whinchat (草原石即鳥)
Nightingale (夜鶯) ; Golden Oriole (金黃鸝)
Liechtenstein (2011)

9th September, 2011. Vaduz

75th anniversary of National Trust for Jersey

2011-12-02T01:30:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
42p/75p : Western Marsh Harrier (白頭鷂) ; 79p : Atlantic Puffin (角嘴海雀)
59p : Dartford Warbler (波紋林鶯)
Jersey (2011)
25th October, 2011. Jersey

I think, or I would promise this is the last cover from Jersey ! The reason is not their stamps not nice enough but the service by their philatelic bureau is not acceptable. Following its cover, I receive a notice from philatelic bureau related to service charge of cancellation. The letter posted on soapbox meanwhile.

Anyway, look back to the stamps, not surprisingly the stamps illustrated by N. Parlett, who illustrated lots of wildlife stamps of Jersey. The stamp set, 5 stamps only 3 are birds. An extra one - 75p, as well as 42p stamp but specially change the mill (as known as La Caumine) in green colour ! It was not computer effect as the mill really painted in green to commemorate 75th anniversary of National Trust for Jersey, only few hours it turned white after inundated with complaints from angry Islanders.

Maxicard
Atlantic Puffin (角嘴海雀)
Jersey (2011)
25th October, 2011. Jersey

Various bird stamps from Algeria

2011-11-27T10:30:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
20,00 Dinar : Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼) ; 5,00 Dinar : Common Snipe (田鷸)
5,00 Dinar : European Serin (金絲雀) ; 10.00 Dinar : Eurasian Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀)
Algeria (2010, 1995, 2000)
27th November, 2010. Jijel

Those bird stamps which species illustrated come from Algeria have been shown before, except the serin. This smallest, pretty gold-yellowed colour bird is commonly to be found in Europe and also North Africa, large population are live in Canary. Formally the bird is resident but northern population migrates to south-east of Mediterranean countries during winter.

Summer visiting birds

2011-11-23T20:11:00.001+08:00

From top-left to bottom-right :
59p : Common Cuckoo (普通杜鵑) ; 50p : Spotted Flycatcher (斑鶲)
42p : Barn Swallow (家燕) ; 86p : Common Swift (普通樓燕)
79p : Eurasian Linnet (赤胸朱頂雀) ; 64p : Greater Whitethroat (灰白喉林鶯)
Jersey (2011)
26th July, 2011. Broad Street, St. Helier

Again as last year, Jersey Post issued their fifth series of domestic birds. This time, the set features six visiting birds during summer. Thanks James sent me this nice (NOT have big demand of Jersey Post, it looks nice if you compare other non-philatelic mails of this poor island) registered mail, also not surprisingly they still using old-styled GB barcode registration label.

Are those six species only seen in summer ? I don't highly agree it. Just refer to the guide RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe, except Barn Swallow and Cuckoo, they seem resident birds to Britain and coast of France, nevertheless as Jersey is a small place in Europe and one of offshore islands to continent, the environment not attract these birds stay in there round years.

Anyway, thanks to James of this nice cover.

Lilac-breasted Roller

2011-11-18T16:06:00.000+08:00

Lilac-breasted Roller (東非佛法僧)
South Africa (2000)
4th May, 2011. Pretoria

Not very special of this maxicard, just as Lilac-breasted Roller is one of beautiful and colourful bird in sub-Sahara area. I decided to arrange this card when I found such beautiful card, same as before the philatelic bureau only use its ordinary postmark to cancel the stamp.

Post & Go labels (IV)

2011-11-15T08:28:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
Atlantic Puffin (角嘴海雀); Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗) ; Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
Common Ringed Plover (環頸鴴) ; Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝)
Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Great Britain (2011)
16th September, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

In the Autumn Stampex, Post Office released its fourth bird Post & Go labels, which is the last in this series. This time features 6 seabirds are common to be found in seashores of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Not surprisingly the species have been appeared on stamps. Above cover is the first day cover of the label sent from London.

As the seabirds mostly inhabiting in northern nation of the country, a set of maximum cards as below which I arranged to be cancelled in those variety post office in Scotland.

Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝)
Great Britain (2011)
6th October, 2011. North Berwick, East Lothian

In the offshore of North Berwick, there has a rock called The Base Rock where is a praise of gannets. Three-fourths of British gannets to be found in this island, however the island has its own castle and lighthouse.

Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗) ; Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
Great Britain (2011)
5th October, 2011. Holy Island, Northumberland

Holy Island, is a tidal island off coast of Northumberland, England. The island formally called Lindisfarne, the lower margin of postmark called Berwick on Tweed is parliament of the island. The island is historical but it also is a nature reserve named Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, in there can be observed thousand of seabirds in each migration seasons.

Atlantic Puffin (角嘴海雀)
Great Britain (2011)
4th November, 2011. Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Puffin is common and cute seabird in the country. Marloes is one of best place to find them in breeding seasons.

Common Ringed Plover (環頸鴴) ; Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴)
Great Britain (2011)
7th October, 2011. Fair Island, Shetland

Last two cards are cancelled in Fair Isle, Shetland. Shetland is the most important islands to seabirds, it is in the north-east of Scotland. Only 15 island inhabited while all of them colonised by seabirds ! Fair Isle and Fetlar are the islands in the east side of Shetland, only few inhabitant in there but have thousands of different seabirds like gannet, puffin and oystercatcher. A RSPB reserve has been built in the islands. The stamps as below cover, was issued on 1999 to commemorate centenary of RSPB.

Clockwise from top-left :
32p : Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴) ; 27p : Pied Avocet (反嘴鷸)
25p : Northern Gannet (北方塘鵝) ; 19p : Atlantic Puffin (角嘴海雀)
Great Britain (1999)
3rd May, 2011. Fetlar, Shetland

Conservation in Tristan da Cunha (2)

2011-11-11T20:32:00.002+08:00

Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (大西洋黃鼻信天翁)
Tristan da Cunha (2010)
11th November , 2010. Tristan da Cunha

Except the cover of new definitive stamp, I also arranged a maxicard of one of high-value stamp, it is Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. Sadly the stamp not clear to show the bird but in another side it is a capture of conservation - ringing the albatross. Is it a nice maxicard ? It seems is, this is second item related to this species while first one was an aerogramme also issued by Tristan da Cunha.

International Polar Year

2011-11-08T22:18:00.002+08:00

L : King Eider (王絨鴨) ; R : Brilliant-red Deep-sea Jellyfish*
Canada (2007)
Unidentified date and place

Honestly speaking, I don't like this cover, or can say that I don't like mails from Canada. Anyway, thanks James corresponded this cover. The stamp souvenir sheet in dark colour means postmark will not clearly show on envelope, and so pity that the shame inkjet postmark blurred and unreadable !

Stamps was issued to commemorate International Polar Year on 2007, I haven't buy it when local post office was selling it. The stamps feature King Eider and Brilliant-red Deep-sea Jellyfish. But please note that it is not Brilliant-red Deep-sea Jellyfish ! Scientific name imprinted incorrectly as Crossota millsaeare when correct name is Crossota norvegica !

King Eider mostly breeding in Arctic Circle and nearby sub-arctic area., surprisingly it was be found in Korea few years ago.

Love : True Blue

2011-11-06T13:20:00.000+08:00

Eastern Bluebird (東方藍知更烏)
United States (2006)
2nd May, 2011. Sammamish, Washington

Thanks to Mr Peterson sent me this nice cover. But stop .... it seems just a decorated couple birds staying on a branch and they are not identify. The description of new stamps by USPS says as below :

This colorful new First-Class stamp depicts two birds perched on a branch sharing a devoted gaze. The space between them forms a heart.

So is it a pair of Eastern Bluebirds ? From the photographs of the internet the species with orange stomach and blackish bill. Thus they just a decoration.

Caribbean Flamingo

2011-11-02T21:28:00.005+08:00

Caribbean Flamingo (紅鸛)
Suriname (1999)
14th April, 2011. Paramaribo

Unfortunately, it is not a good maxicard as postmark not clear to read. However I think I should forgive the mirror mistake as Suriname seems a rare country in the collection list - for bird, of course. In America, Caribbean Flamingo is a famous migratory bird when breeding in Galápagos Islands, coasts of northern South American countries like Columbia, Venezuela and nearby islands. However they also to be found in North America, from Colorado to Mexico and some Caribbean islands.

Caribbean Flamingo is a giant and sharp bird in America. Its reddish feather attracts most birdwatchers. In most zoo of the world, flamingos are feeding by human and the card shown an example in one United States zoo.

Birds of Suriname

2011-10-28T21:22:00.003+08:00

Clockwise from top-left :
SRD 0,90 : Dusky Parrot (達士奇鸚鵡)
SRD 2,50 : Yellow-green Grosbeak (黃綠錫嘴鳥)
SRD 0,45 : Opal-rumped Tanager (白腰唐加拉雀)
Suriname (2008)
14th April, 2011. Paramaribo

In 90's years of last century, Suriname issued numbers of bird stamps - mostly seem definitives are features rare birds of this South American nation. Nevertheless, as fiscal deficit and high inflation, the highest denomination of 2001 stamp is Sf.9000, before new currency Surinamese dollar comes out. From 2003, Suriname birds begins new series with new currency, however most of them are in sheetlet format and exception stamps as above in small size single stamps.

Three species of above stamps are quite normal to be found in Suriname, but since 60's years a lot of wildlife Dusky Parrot illegality exported out of Suriname and Guyana for pet market, and they not easy to feed after left the wild environment. Moreover as the inhabitant lost, population of the parrot also decreasing.

Special overprint

2011-10-23T20:29:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
White-tailed Wheatear (白腰即鳥) ; Masked Shrike (雲斑伯勞)
Palestine Sunbird (北非橙簇花蜜鳥)
Jordan (2009)
5th May, 2011. Amman

In 2009, Jordan oddly to issue a set of overprinted stamps for postage of overseas ordinary mails, they all denominations are 80Pt. However the most interesting thing is the stamps originally issued on 1970, features three species rarely to be found in stamps. These three stamps only printed with two to three colours in rotogravure methods.

White-tailed Wheatear is a resident bird widely visible in North Africa, it overalls are black but exception of the head and tail are white. The stamp seems incorrectly drawn the back in mixture of black and white features. Masked Shrike, is a migratory bird bleeds in the area between Jordan and Turkey, and then migrates to seashores of Red Sea and East Africa. Palestine Sunbird also resident bird, the activity area are north bank of Red Sea and southern Sudan and Central Africa.

Herons of the reef

2011-10-18T01:00:00.001+08:00

Eastern Reef Heron (太平洋岩鷺)
Vanuatu (2007)

4th June, 2009. Port Vila

Very oddly, is it really sent on 2009 ? If you remember that I have been posted an envelope from Trinidad & Tobago is the last one cover on 2009, you may think I was writing incorrect information. However if you find the history posts under Vanuatu catalogue, you will be noted that I have two missing covers during stamp exhibition 2009. Here is one of them which receive again on September, 2010. In the time of typing this post (1st October, 2010), it really the last cover of 2009.

I don't have interest to write again Eastern Reef Heron, due to I have introduced the species before. The stamps as above originally in souvenir sheet format but as in my collecting rule, souvenir sheet is not necessary and out of range. Thus I only bough single stamps in the exhibition.

The postmark reads 'postage paid' seem meaningless. The stamps have enough for 1st grade airmail registered mail to Asia, anyway it is good luck to receive them again.

Endangered birds of Britain

2011-10-14T21:27:00.001+08:00

First roll :
White-tailed Eagle (白尾鷲) ; Bearded Reedling (文須雀) ; Red Kite (紅鳶)
Cirl Bunting (黃道眉鵐) ; Western Marsh Harrier (白頭鷂)
Second roll :
Pied Avocet (反嘴鷸) ; Eurasian Bittern (大麻鳽) ; Dartford Warbler (波紋林鶯)
Corn Crake (長腳秧雞) ; Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Great Britain (2007)
4th September, 2007. Trafalgar Square, London

Finally I rescan this large envelope which sent on the first day issue of British Endangered Birds. The set, as the series, features 10 variety species to be found in the islands. Actually they are not very special in the world but after industry revolution, the wild environment of British became poor and as inhabit loss, population of some species largely decrease. However it is not too late to stop this situation when couple of environment rules come out recent years and now some of population is growing up.

Red Kite, one of stamp in this set, was shown in this blog on 2009. Above packet especially thanks to Yoram, he is helpful to send me covers from Britain and other countries.

Crimson-crowned Fruit-Dove

2011-10-10T23:43:00.000+08:00

Crimson-crowned Fruit-Dove (緋紅頂果鳩)
Niue (2011)
6th July, 2011. Alofi

Kulukulu, is a local name of Crimsom-crowned Fruit Dove in Niue. It specially features a reddish crown and endemic to the islands of south-west Pacific. Although with the small inhabit area, it is not endangered species. As well as other fruit doves, the diet of kulukulu is fruits in the forest.

The postmark illustrated Polynesian Triller (斑鳴鵑鵙), is a common bird of Polynesian islands.

ATM labels of Denmark

2011-10-07T18:21:00.000+08:00

From top to bottom (left column) :
Common Shelduck (翹鼻麻鴨) ; Mallard (綠頭鴨) ; Tufted Duck (鳳頭潛鴨)
Denmark (2011)
10th September, 2011. Copenhagen

In recent years, many postal administrations begin to use new generation postage label, for counter use or self-served kiosk, Denmark is one long term user of FARMA label and using new generation labels for a while. In September, to meet the stamp exhibition in Horsens, there to be issued a set of three labels feature 3 waterbirds. Shelduck, mallard and Tufted Duck are very common to be found in this northern country.

Thanks Montse of Spain and his correspondent from Denmark to coordinate this nice first day cover.

New definitive stamps of Singapore

2011-10-02T00:05:00.000+08:00

65c : White-breasted Waterhen (白胸苦惡鳥)
5c : Collared Kingfisher (白領翡翠)
Singapore (2011)
13th April, 2011. Climent West
24th April, 2011. Hongkong

After the excellent definitive stamps issued on 2007, SingPost once again issues new definitive stamps on April 2011 which related to pond life, to respond The Year of Biodiversity of 2010. the stamps. Except the elliptical perforation on both top and bottom sides, iodine ink and micro-printing to be used as new security features. The stamps printed in rotogravure to obtain richly colour.

White-breasted Waterhen and Collared Kingfisher are resident birds of SE Asia. They are commonly to be found in Far East from Taiwan to northernmost of Australia.

Many-coloured Fruit-dove again

2011-09-26T21:35:00.001+08:00

Many-coloured Fruit-Dove (雜色果鳩)
Samoa (2011)
2nd September, 2011. Apia
10th September, 2011. Hong-Kong

I use 'again' in the topic, because the species had shown here already. A nice water-coloured Fiji fruit dove stamp set featured same bird on 2009. Now it comes to Samoa, be a part of collection of WWF series. Perhaps it coordinated by same stamp agency service, the design seems very similar to Vanuatu issue and the stamps are issued on same day.

Beside of Fiji, Many-coloured Fruit-dove also inhabit in Samoa. However as the islands are small enough, population of the dove in the islands are too small, the quantity closes endangered. But, of course, it overall is not endangered species in IUCN list.

Birds of Macao

2011-09-22T00:15:00.004+08:00

Clockwise from top-left :
1,50pts. : Light-vented Bulbul (白頭鵯) ; 2,50pts. : Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩)
3,50pts. : Yellow Bittern (黃斑葦鳽) ; 4,50pts. : Greater Coucal (褐翅鴉鵑)
Macao (2011)
11th September, 2011. Central

After 16 years, birds become actor of the Macao stamps again. Since Macao returned to China, development and tourism industry becomes only a principal policy of this small special administration. In this 10 years, a wild wetland between Taipa and Coloane be reclamation - now it called Cotai for casinos. Two special protected areas in Taipa and Ka-Ho, are partly be legally developed. Greenish spaces in Macao are decreased in this period so rarely to see wild birds in urban or country area.

Anyway, to commemorate 50th anniversary of foundation of WWF, Macao Post still issued a set of stamps related to natural, it is the first set in natural theme since 1999. Four species feature in stamps are very common ! At least they are to be found easily in the parks or countrysides in most south-east China cities.

Wild birds of sub-Saharan Africa - Eritrea (1)

2011-09-19T14:34:00.000+08:00

Front
From left to right :
Bateleur (短尾雕) ; Red-billed Quelea (紅嘴奎利亞雀) ; Secretarybird (蛇鷲)
Eritrea (1997)
16th December, 2010. Asmara

In 2008, I had tried to send a request for a mail from Eritrea, one of newest countries in East Africa (the most newest is South Sudan, also in East Africa), unfortunately I affixed old currency Birr stamps and they are not valid for postage, the cover only sent back to me through package. This time, I collected couple of new currency Nakfa stamps and decided send again on late-2010. This cover and a maxicard which will be shown next time are the productions by Eritrean Philatelic Bureau.

This cover selected three species which are inhabiting in and endemic to sub-Sahara area. In Eritrea, as the country located in the east of sub-Sahara area and beside Red Sea, those three species, also includes below mammal Aardwolf, are fairly to be be found them in this nation.

Back
Aardwolf (土狼)
Eritrea (2001)

SOAR again

2011-09-15T18:53:00.007+08:00

Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀)
Ireland (2011)
21st July, 2010. Dublin

After a year, second series of biodiversity SOAR was issued on July. As well as before, 8 stamps only has one features bird and it is Goldfinch. This time I arranged a maxicard and first day cover for the issue which are shown as above and below. As the labels more popular to postal customers, definitive stamps becoming useless in post office, I believe that labels to be replaced definitive stamps in future.

Goldfinch, and the definitive stamps as below, are regular and common species to Ireland.

From left to right :
Birds, definitive
20c : Northern Lapwing (鳳頭麥雞) ; 7c : European Stonechat (歐洲石䳭)
Ireland (2002, 2003)
SOAR
55c : Red Deer (馬鹿)
Ireland (2011)
21st July, 2010. Dublin

Hyacinth Macaw

2011-09-11T14:03:00.004+08:00

Hyacinth Macaw (紫藍金剛鸚鵡)
Great Britain (2011)
22nd March, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

Hyacinth Macaw is the largest species of Psittaciformes (鸚形目), which has unique body, charmed jewelery blued feather are attracted to pet feeder. The macaw is endemic to Amazon tropical palm forests or swamps of southern Brazil, east of Bolivia and north of Paraguay. As it is a popular pet of people, the macaw has big demand in pet market and caused wild macaws are being illegal bird trading. Moreover according to the over development of forest area, their inhabit area are damaged or lost. In 80's year over 10,000 birds be caught and most of them traded to black-market of Brazil, now only 3,000 wild macaws to be found in this area.

The stamp as above comes from souvenir sheet of Great Britain, which commemorated 50th anniversary of Worldwide Fund of Nature. Whole set products include 10 stamps with worldwide endangered mammals and souvenir sheet features 4 species to be found in Amazon forest. But disappointingly none of them related to Great Britain.

Today is a big day as it was a foundation day of Worldwide Fund for Nature in 50 years ago. The orginasation registered at Morges, Switzerland on 11th September by Sir Julian Huxley who is a British biologist.

Eurasian Curlew

2011-09-06T20:57:00.003+08:00

Eurasian Curlew (白腰杓鷸)
Belarus (2011)
4th April, 2011. Minsk

As before, Belarus Post issues a stamp feature 'bird of the year' in each spring. This year, is a very common bird curlew in Europe. In historical recording, curlew to be thought that it has large population and not qualify as threatened. However in recent record it is incorrect and the status in IUCN list became Near Threatened in 2008.

MaxicardEurasian Curlew (白腰杓鷸)
Belarus (2011)
14th March, 2011. Minsk

Massena's Lorikeet

2011-09-01T00:25:00.002+08:00

Massena's Lorikeet (馬仙納氏吸蜜鸚鵡)
Vanuatu (2011)
23th August, 2011. Port Vila

After a year, Vanuatu Post issues again WWF series to commemorate 50th anniversary of the organisation, which found in 1951. This time features beautiful and attractive Massena's Lorikeet in strip of 4 format. The species not new to Vanuatu stamps but in first time to use illustration style to produce stamps.

Massena's Lorikeet is a sub-species of Rainbow Lorikeet (彩虹吸蜜鸚鵡), this complicate species has 21 sub-species which have different features and inhabit area. For Massena's Lorikeet, it endemic to Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, and some of them rarely to Vanuatu, further south of its traditional inhabit area.

As above introduction, Massena's Lorikeet is not the first time shown on the stamps. Below aerogramme, issued couple of years features three Vanuatu domestic birds, one on the left side is Massena's Lorikeet, the imprinted postage is Eastern Reef Heron and also on the backside is Vanuatu Kingfisher, which is endemic bird of Vanuatu.

Imprinted stamp : Eastern Reef Heron (太平洋岩鷺)
Illustration : Massena's Lorikeet (馬仙納氏吸蜜鸚鵡) and
Vanuatu Kingfisher (和栗腹翡翠)
Vanuatu (2007)
23th August, 2011. Port Vila

Peafowl in western's eyes (2) - Giuseppe Castiglione

2011-08-26T18:54:00.001+08:00

India Peafowl (藍孔雀) ; Peony (牡丹)
Taiwan (1991)
18th March, 2011. Neihu, Taipei

It is the second peafowl drawing to show here, and also it was painted by western during 18th century. Giuseppe Castiglione (19 July, 1688 - 17 July, 1766) was an Italian Jesuit who born in Milan, he began to have interesting on Chinese culture during visiting Lisbon and Coimbra of Portugal in 1714. After a year he arrived Macao for studying Chinese, and having a Chinese name Lang Shih-ning.

He stayed in China more than 50 years, participated the design work of the Old Summer Palace, the imperial gardens of early Qing dynasty. Also he painted couple of paintings with emperors and concubines, nature, horses. Above souvenir sheet is one of his painting finished on 1758, now the ancient painting is a collection of National Palace Museum, Taipei.

The postage label is another ancient painting collection of National Palace Museum, painter Yun Shouping (1633-1690) also an important artist in early Qing dynasty. He specialised in flower painting and regards as one of the "Six Masters" of the Qing period.

Peafowl in western's eyes (1) - Jean Kefalinos

2011-08-22T17:34:00.003+08:00

Greek engravers on 20th century (二十世紀希臘雕刻匠)
Greece (2011)
10th March, 2011. Dafni, Attica

Jean Kefalinos, in Greek : Γιάννης Κεφαλληνός (12 July, 1894 - 27 February, 1957), was a well-known engraver in Greece and mostly all of the works were printed in books. famous works were printed on books like Slaves in their chains, writing of Costas Varnalis (1928) ; The death of the Medici, writing of Prevelakis Pantelis (1939) ; The peacock, writing of Zacharias Papantoniou (1946) and The Ascetic, writing of Nikos Kazantzakis (1927). Jean also designed couple of Greek stamps during 1950 to 1954.

The stamp on the above envelope and maxicard titled as The Peacock engraved on 1942, which is a single coloured printmaking. However it is hard to find the detail of the work when writing this essay.

Here is the blog of Jean Kefalinos, in Greek only : http://efthymiades.blogspot.com/

MaxicardIndia Peafowl (藍孔雀)
Greece (2011)
20th January, 2011. Athens

Endangered birds of Belize (II)

2011-08-17T22:49:00.001+08:00

L : Green Honeycreeper (紫蓝旋蜜雀) ; R : Harpy Eagle (角雕)
Belize (2009)
21th February, 2011. GPO (Belize City)

Continue to write about the endangered birds of Belize. The last two, Green Honeycreeper actually is not endanger in the world but in Belize, it to be found from southern Mexico to Brazil. The body in green colour can make it is easily to be invisible in wild area, the stamp illustrate male bird as feather colour of male is bluish-green while female is grassed-green. Harpy Eagle is the strongest bird of prey in America, also to be found in southern America to Brazil. As the inhabit loss and illegal bird trading, the population of the eagle is decreasing and now listed as Near Threatened class in IUCN list.

Double Yellow-headed Amazon

2011-08-12T20:38:00.002+08:00

Double Yellow-headed Amazon (雙黃頭亞馬遜鸚鵡)
Belize (2009)
21th February, 2011. GPO (Belize City)

In last year, here has shown you a cover features latest endangered bird issue of Belize, it was not an excellent cover as not sent by registered mail. Later on, I found a parrot postcard from online dealer and decided to do some stuff of left stamps. Now begin to show in this and next post, the first one is a maxicard of Double Yellow-headed Amazon.

Double Yellow-headed Amazon only endemic to most forest area of Belize and Honduras. As it has three inhabit area people divided the species to three sub-species. The stamp probably shown the one endemic to Belize A. o. belizensis. Unfortunately until now, the Double Yellow-headed Amazon is near extinct in the wild and now listed as endangered species, it is according to inhabit lost and illegal hunting.

Originally the maxicard matched with first day special postmark which illustrates head detail of parrot, but so pity now only ordinary postmark.

Owls of topical Africa

2011-08-08T00:26:00.001+08:00

From left to right :
300F : Pel's Fishing Owl (橫斑漁鴞) ; 500F : Marsh Owl (沼澤貓頭鷹)
90F : Barn Owl (倉鴞) ; 205F : Fraser's Eagle-Owl (弗雷氏雕鴞)
Congo, Republic of (1996)
15th October, 2010. Brazzaville

Although Republic of Congo not as well as its neighbourhood country Democratic Republic of Congo has attractive Mountain Gorilla (山地大猩猩), along the Congo River, it still finds rich biodiversity environment. This range area to be found different kinds of migratory or resident birds during October to next March. Two years ago, here selected White Stork (白鸛) and Northern Pintail (針尾鴨) which are two of regular migratory bird of Congo, this time are four owls, they are common to be found in Congo.

Pel's Fishing Owl and Marsh Owl are resident of sub-Sahara area also Madagascar. Pel's Fishing Owl is a large, brown owl normally catch fishes or frogs as its diet. However small mammals, or insects are main diet of Marsh Owl. Local found Barn Owl mostly is a sub-species T. a. affinis, it looks grey in upper part and light buff with extensive speckles of lower part. Fraser's Eagle Owl is endemic to sub-Sahara area, also a common owl in Congo.

In the same time to fulfil enough postage, a set of Calabar Angwantibo (金熊猴) stamps which is a series of WWF also affixed on the envelope. Feature details has been posted to sub-page.

Buzin 2011

2011-08-03T14:50:00.000+08:00

Northern Pintail (針尾鴨)
Belgium (2011)
0,05 € : Little Grebe (小鸊鷈) ; 0,57 € : Black Tern (黑浮鷗)
Belgium (2010, 2002)
15th January, 2011. Asse

The Buzin series seems never end, the first two came out in this 26th year are Northern Pintail and Osprey (魚鷹), low-value stamp for make-up rate value and high-value stamp for registered mail. Here it is, the first day cover with low-value stamp and some old Buzin issue.

Northern Pintail is a migratory bird as shown before. The pintail in Eurasia area mostly breeds in northern Europe and migrates to south from western Europe to sub-Shara Africa area and southern Asia.

Little Grebe and Black Tern are also common grebe and tern in Europe. The black turn has been recorded hybridisation habit between White-winged Tern (白翅黑燕鷗), the chicken of them are features characters of both species.

Aerogrammes of Great Britain

2011-07-29T00:02:00.002+08:00

From left to right :
British Coastal Birds
Atlantic Puffin (角嘴海雀) ; Black-legged Kittiwake (三趾鷗) ; Guillemot (普通海鴉)
British Moorland and Upland Birds
Willow Grouse (柳雷鳥) ; Eurasian Golden-Plover (歐金斑鴴) ; Black Grouse (黑琴雞)
British Birds - the Crow Family
Jackdaw (寒鴉) ; Eurasian Jay (松鴉) ; Common Magpie (喜鵲)
Great Britain (c. 1995)
12th December, 2010. Mount Pleasant, London

A set of 6 aerogrammes issued by Royal Mail during mid-90's year of last century illustrates British domestic birds in variety situations. Each aerogramme illustrated by famous artists with colourful backgrounds. One of artist is Norman Arlott, he illustrates birds since 50's years, some of illustrates published in reference books of bird-watching and special topics. recent years he also writing about bird handbooks and guides. Now he lives in Norfolk and over 100 books with his illustrations. Another one, Noel Cusa, also an artist of fauna. He begun to draw wildlife with watercolour since 60's year, above two of aerogrammes are illustrated by him.

25th anniversary of Buzin, part 2

2011-07-24T11:20:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
Common Buzzard (鵟) ; Eurasian Hobby (燕隼)
European Honey Buzzard (鵰頭鷹) ; Red Kite (紅鳶)
Northern Goshawk (蒼鷹)
Belgium (2010)
30th November, 2010. Bruxelles de Brouckere, Brussels

In last year, a souvenir sheet issued for the 25th anniversary of Buzin definitive stamp and thanks to Thomas he sent me a nice cover with one stamp and Buzin's autograph. When today is one year after its issue, here shown another cover with whole souvenir sheet. Thanks to Yoram of London who spent a day trip to Brussels for Christmas shopping. The sheet illustrate five birds of prey are common in Europe, but the main feature of the sheet is Buzin drawing a buzzard in countryside. It seems the first time he appears on stamps - even only in frames.

So pity that the postmark is not clear enough to read, the date and place of sending only to be found in the ugly postage counter label.

Europa 2011 : Forest

2011-07-18T00:10:00.000+08:00

Azores : Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Madeira : European Robin (知更鳥)
Portugal / Azores / Madeira (2011)
9th May, 2011. Lisbon
L : Trocaz Pigeon (長趾鴿) ; R : European Robin (知更鳥)
Madeira (2011)
9th May, 2011. Funchal
R : Azores Bullfinch (亞速爾紅腹灰雀)
Azores (2011)
9th May, 2011. Ponta Delgada

This year, the United Nations proclaimed that 2011 is the International Year of the Forest. Many countries issue stamps or post stationery related theme, PostEurop also decided Forest is the theme of Europa stamp 2011. In here is a set of Europa issue of Portugal, and its territories Madeira and Azores. The stamps shown how people use resource of the forest (Portugal), enjoy the forest (Madeira) and live together with forest (Azores). Those stamps appear three species are endemic to Madeira or Azores, except the robin.

In the meantime, the Portugal Post issued a special pre-paid postcard made with cork, to commemorate the International Year of the Forest. The postcard and special postmark feature the logo of this activity.

International Year of the Forest (國際森林年)
Portugal (2011)
9th May, 2011. Lisbon

Caribbean's birds (7) - Antigua & Barbuda

2011-07-14T00:01:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
75c : Red-billed Streamertail (紅嘴長尾蜂鳥)
90c : Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (黃腹吸汁啄木鳥)
$2,00 : Spectacled Owl (眼鏡鴞) ; $1,20 : Rufous-tailed Jacamar (棕尾鶲鴷)
Antigua & Barbuda (2000)

1st December, 2010. GPO, St Johns
5th January, 2011. Hongkong

The post of Antigua & Barbuda always selected different birds which can or not to be found in its country, perhaps it is because the stamp issue policy controlled by IPGS and this is a quite shame dealer in the world. Above stamps still under controlled by IGPS but acceptable when the species are endemic to Caribbean area. Red-billed Streamertail is a beautiful greenish bird, another name is doctor bird. However it is endemic to Jamaica not Antigua. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a woodpecker to be found in North America, Central America and Caribbean, it probably also lives in Antigua. Spectacled Owl is a common owl lives in the range of southern Mexico, Trinidad to Argentina. It's eyes specially in black colour similar to wearing glasses. Rufous-tailed Jacamar lives in whole America except Canada and United States ; and also not to be found in Caribbean.

Four species are not endangered species to this area, they are commonly to be found in variety countries.

Kuhl's Lorikeet

2011-07-10T00:05:00.000+08:00

Kuhl's Lorikeet (孔氏吸蜜鸚鵡)
Cook Islands (2010)
26th April, 2011. Rarotonga

Kuhl's Lorikeet mainly appears at tropical rainforests, edge of forests ; sometimes nearby human activity areas like backyards, coconut plantations. It has beautiful red, green and purple feathers. It endemic to south-west Pacific islands, from Cook Islands, Kiribati to French Polynesia. As it only endemic to such small areas, it now listed as endangered species as IUCN list. In recent years, the lorikeet was re-introduced to Teraina, Tabueran, Kiritimati of Cook Islands.

Above cover sent from Cook Islands through New Zealand, while understand that from the labels on the cover, but as the relationship of Cook Islands and New Zealand, it didn't need biosecurity by custom of New Zealand.

Common birds of Bangladesh

2011-07-05T17:44:00.001+08:00

Clockwise from top-left :
House Sparrow (家麻雀) ; Red Avadavat (紅梅花雀)
Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩) ; Indian Myna (家八哥)
Bangladesh (2010)
27th January, 2011. Dhanmondi, Dhaka

In southern Asia, as the Himalayas divided cold weather from the North Pole, additional wind is come from Indian Ocean, weather of the areas is wet and warm. Most of species in there are different than northern Asia or Europe, however some species are common to be found in most of Asian area or Europe. Above four stamps are example from Bangladesh. Thanks to Dr. Ainin's help of the envelope and below maxicard.

Red Avandavant is new in this blog, the scientific name of stamp imprinted as Estrilda amandava which is a synonyms. Male is in red colour while female in yellow or brown ; but both of their bill in red colour.

Maxicard
House Sparrow (家麻雀)
Bangladesh (2010)
27th January, 2011. Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Post & Go labels (III)

2011-07-01T23:32:00.005+08:00

First column :
Great Crested Grebe (鳳頭鸊鷉)
Second column :
Moorhen (黑水雞) ; Greylag Goose (灰雁)
Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝) ; Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
Third column (last stamp) : Mallard (綠頭鴨)
Great Britain (2011)
19th May, 2011. Great Portland Street, London

As the schedule, Post Office issued third series of bird theme Post & Go labels, this time features six waterbirds to be found in England or Scotland. Unfortunately some of birds have been appeared on stamps and shown here as before. Still thanks to Yoram from London he kindly to set me a copy of mint stamps and above cover. I selected Greylag Goose to arranged maxicard as below, the card also issued by one English publisher and the description says the geese mostly appear in Hebrides and Forsinard, the Highlands of Scotland.

Below maxicard bears Forsinard post office cds., where is one of remotest village in the northernmost of Scotland. A reserve Forsinard Flows is located near the village.

Maxicard

Greylag Goose (灰雁)
Great Britain (2011)
10th June, 2011. Forsinard, Sutherland

Pygmy Cormorant

2011-06-26T16:00:00.001+08:00

Pygmy Cormorant (侏鸕鶿)
Serbia (2011)
24th May, 2011. Kanjiža

It is the third set of WWF series in 2011 I collected. Not much special but seem nice enough, it features Pygmy Cormorant. This species breeds in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, and it partially migrate to further south for winter. Due to the drainage, inhabit lose, pollution and illegal hunting, the population of Pygmy Cormorant is decreasing and now be listed as near threatened in IUCN list.

50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty

2011-06-23T00:00:00.008+08:00

55p (L) : Southern Giant Petrel (南方巨鸌)
55p (R) : Gentoo Penguin (巴布亞企鵝)
27p : Humpback Whale (座頭鯨)
British Antarctic Territory (2009)
3rd December, 2009. Rothera Point, Adelaide Island
12th February, 2011. Hongkong

In July of 1955, ambassador of 12 countries has a meeting in Paris for the problem of Antarctic, whom agreed adjust the further observance activities and also gave up the territories demand. After more than 60 meetings from mid-1958, 12 countries signed the Antarctic Treaty on 1st January of 1959 ; and it was effective from 23rd June, 1961.

Today is the 50th anniversary of effective of the Antarctic Treaty, it seems successfully protected most of the Antarctica - the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude. Now total 46 countries signed and are members of the treaty, although 7 of members have territories demand.

Above cover affixed the stamps issued by BAT on 2009, to commemorate 50th anniversary of signature of the Antarctic Treaty. It sent from Rothera Station on 2009 ; spent more than year to dispatch its destination. Rothera is the northernmost research station in Antarctica of Great Britain survey.

3 of 6 stamps as above shown variety species to be found in this whited territory, Humpback Whale is one of the largest whale in the world, maximum one is in 18m wide. Although it is not endangered species, as illegal over hunting it listed in CITES of IUCN list. Southern Giant Petrel is a large seabird of southern oceans, it similarly to Northern Giant Petrel (北方巨鸌) but the activity area further south than northern one and in brown colour, the largest one measured in 99cm with a wingspan of 205cm. Gentoo Penguin is the third large penguin in its family, it actives whole Southern Ocean and its islands, also Falkland Islands and Chile. Now population is estimated to be over 300,000 pairs.

The cover originally with hand-illustration breeding King Penguins (國王企鵝), unfortunately it overlapped by those large stamps.

Conservation in Tristan da Cunha (1)

2011-06-17T00:00:00.000+08:00

10p : Inaccessible Island Rail (呆秧雞) ; 5p : Wandering Albatross (漂泊信天翁)
Tristan da Cunha (2010)
2nd December, 2010. Tristan da Cunha

In late-2010, the post office of Tristan da Cunha decided replace their old definitive issue which using over 5 years. This time shown 12 variety situations about conservation in this remote islands, and also the most important heritage site. Four of stamps related to bird and above are two of them. Inaccessible Island Rail is a rail endemic to Inaccessible Island, an south-west island with 45km distance with Tristan da Cunha, now the island listed as World Heritage Site.

Until now, Inaccessible Island still has many flightless birds species and some of them are endemic to the island. Meanwhile, it also a good hub for seabirds which live in Southern Ocean, one example is Wandering Albatross. Now, all species in albatross family be listed as endangered and they have a big chance disappear in the world next 50 years.

Stamp 10p shown a rail lays under lawn and the 5p one is featuring two conservators measuring an albatross.

Hawaiian rain forest

2011-06-12T12:20:00.000+08:00

L : Elepaio (蚋鶲) and Maui Amakihi (茂島綠雀) ; R : Iiwi (鐮嘴管舌鳥)
United States (2010)
26th January, 2011. St Louis, Missouri

Firstly thanks Bob never mind to send me again this cover due to the first one lost in post, it is nice and seem to be finished my Natural series of United States, although only three have been collected. The last series, features variety species if Hawaiian rain forest and as the islands located in the middle of Pacific Ocean, most of land species are endemic to Hawaii.

Hawaii Amakihi (夏威夷綠雀) are widely to be found in Hawaii, it has two subspecies - H. v. virens and Maui Amakihi H. v. wilsoni, the stamp probably illustrated that. As well as the name, the bird endemic to Maui, the second large island of Hawaii. The different of them are the wings of Hawaii Amakihi are in grey colour but Maui Amakihi is in dark black.

Elepaio originally has three subspecies but they now separated, the stamp only shown a small bird similar to female bird of this species.

Iiwi, is one of five endemic honeycreepers in Hawaii, those five species are in one separated family Drepanididae (管舌鳥科). Bird is in a colourful sharped reddish colour with long pink bill.

Crested Tit

2011-06-07T12:19:00.000+08:00

Crested Tit (鳳頭山雀)
Monaco (2002)
4th January, 2011. Monte Carlo

Who sent me this interesting mail ? A normal mail with a stamp costs 5 Euro ! Actually the registered mail from Monaco just 5,82 Euro when the time of essay writing.

Thanks David of his mail and greetings, the stamp really hard to find especially in postal used, so I can completed all my latest Monaco bird issues. Crested Tit is a resident bird in most southern European countries, includes south Portugal and Spain and some North African countries. It is a common bird not endanger in this moment.

William Farquhar collection

2011-06-03T00:24:00.002+08:00

From top of first column to bottom of forth column :
Black-tailed Godwit (黑尾塍鷸) ; Red-wattled Lapwing (肉垂麥雞)
Great Argus (大眼斑雉) ; Malayan Peacock-Pheasant (鳳冠孔雀雉)
Oriental Pied Hornbill (冠斑犀鳥) ; Black Bittern (黃頸黑鷺) ; Oriental Magpie-Robin (鵲鴝)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (栗喉蜂虎) ; Black-naped Oriole (黑枕黃鸝)
Blue-winged Pitta (馬來八色鶇)
Singapore (2002)
24th December, 2010. Clement West
5th January, 2010. Hongkong

William Farquhar (1774-1839), was a first Resident of Singapore and sixth Resident of Malacca. During the period of in officer of Singapore (1819-1823), he commissioned an artist illustrate domestic flora and fauna. As the artist is a Chinese, the illustrations drawn with watercolour but in Chinese style, total 447 plates are painted in these 4 years, it seems the very first records of Singapore or Malacca's fauna.

In 2002, Singpost selected 20 of illustrations for two minisheets and luckily one of them are birds. Unfortunately as some illustrations in vertical and horizontal formats, ten illustrations oddly printed in one sheet. Thanks to Eddie to tear them out of the sheet and affixed them on envelope regularly.

Perhaps in 250 years ago, those species are very common in South-east Asia, however in 21st century, some of birds like the hornbill and bee-eater are facing inhabit lost and listed as endangered species.

Barn Swallow (2)

2011-05-29T01:50:00.000+08:00

Barn Swallow (家燕)
Estonia (2010)
27th April, 2010. Tallinn

Once again, Estonia issues its long series 'Bird of the year' on late-Spring, this year is 9th series of the issue and features Barn Swallow. Thanks Pirjo of her kindly helpful to complete my collection. Not much surprising of the stamp as Barn Swallow is very common in Europe and Asia, the stamp illustrates a flying bird while one staying on a branch on the cover, they probably are male birds. However, the most interesting thing of Barn Swallow is their nest built under eves, a stamp also issued by Estonia on 2005 is related to this situation. Below stamp, is the original sample of this Estonia stamp.

An additional description is, Barn Swallow is a national bird of Estonia.

Common Gull

2011-05-24T18:03:00.003+08:00

Common Gull (海鷗)
Germany (2011)
1st April, 2011. Braunscnweig

Not a pretty envelope from a German dealer, it features four variety stamp but only one contains small bird, it seems hard to identify. According to news report of Birds of the world on postage stamp website, Chris identified it is Mew Gull L. c. brachyrhynchus (北美海鷗) as 'the legs are light green and the pattern of the primaries is variety for L. canus (Common Gull)'. However, Mew Gull is a sub-species of Common Gull and mostly appears on Alaska to western Canada, it is heavier than Common Gull.

However, after a week, I received an excellent cover from Wolfgang, member of Motivgruppe Ornithologie. It only features the stamp except the 5 cents stamp for make-up charge.

Common Gull (海鷗)
Germany (2011)
18th April, 2011. Mühlau, Sachsen

P.S. Also thanks to Wolfgang who sent me a mail with special pictorial postmark of 21st International Stamp Fair at Essen, the postmark features many species in forest. The bird, probably is a Golden Eagle (金雕), although it is only line-drawing and hard to identify. Golden Eagle Only appears southern Germany near border of Switzerland and Austria.

Golden Eagle (金雕)
Germany (2011)
5th May, 2011. Essen

Little Egret

2011-05-19T00:00:00.000+08:00

Little Egret (小白鷺)
South Africa (2010)
22nd December, 2010. Tshwane

It is the latest and newest bird aerogramme issued recent years. As talked before, now less and less postal administration interest to issue aerogramme as lack of using demand. South Africa was an exception to do it on 2010 and seems it will issue in following years.

I think I do not need to make description of Little Egret again, please enjoy this beautiful aerogramme as it really amazing to show an egret ready to fly.

Christmas Frigatebird

2011-05-14T12:30:00.001+08:00

Christmas Frigatebird (白腹軍艦鳥)
Christmas Island (2010)
17th August, 2010. Christmas Island, West Australia

4th January, 2011. Christmas Island, West Australia

Christmas Frigatebird, as known as Christmas Island Frigatebird, is one frigatebird only breeding in Christmas Island, however it also widely visible in South China Sea, most of coast of south-east Asian countries, eastern Indian Ocean and west of South Pacific. As it mainly breeds in Christmas Islands, it can say the frigatebird is endemic to this small island in north-west of Australia. During 1988, the frigatebird listed as threatened in IUCN list while became vulnerable species in 1994. Since 2000, the frigatebird listed as critically endangered species due to the inhabit area colonised by huge of Crazy Ants (細足捷蟻), and also damaged by wildfires or cyclones.

As well as other frigatebirds, their diet mostly rob other birds caught, but they also catch fish near water surface or shallows. Male bird is in black colour except small part in white on the belly, and brownish areas on the wings. As they are frigatebird, male also has a large red and inflateable throat sac during courtship.

Same as before, mail from Christmas Island will be postmarked by attractive pictorial postmark illustrates Christmas Red Crab (聖誕島紅蟹).

Kerguelen Tern

2011-05-10T17:32:00.005+08:00

Kerguelen Tern (克格倫燕鷗)
French Australia and Antarctica Territories (2010)
20th October, 2010. Port-aux-Français, Kerguelen
17th December, 2010. Hongkong

Kerguelen Tern is a dark grey tern with reddish bill mostly appears in Southern Hemisphere, it near endemic to Kerguelen Islands, the part of French Territories in south Indian Ocean. Although the bleeding place is Kerguelen Islands, it also to be found in the Prince Edward Islands and Crozet Islands, while they are in small colonies. Total population of Kerguelen Tern is around 3,500 to 6,000 individuals, however it is not final data as the main breeding place Kerguelen Islands was not include.

This cover specially thanks to Jean-Pierre of his great help, just spent two month on the way from sub-Antarctica islands to Hongkong. Please note that TAAF still using traditional registration label instead of common UPU standard 13-digit barcode label, it is perhaps there is not possible to install computerised postal system in Antarctica and lack of demand.

Buzin, part 8

2011-05-05T13:35:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
4,09 € : Common Pheasant (雉雞) ; 0,02 € : Common Snipe (田鷸)
0,44 € : Common House Martin (白腹毛腳燕) ; 0,23 € : Western Jackdaw (寒鴉)
0,10 € : Tengmalm's Owl (鬼鴞) ; 0,75 € : Eurasian Kestrel (紅隼)
Belgium (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010)
30th November, 2010. Bruxelles de Brouckere, Brussels

As well as last year, I selected some Buzin definitive stamps for Christmas mail this year, thanks Yoram of his help and the dearest one 4,60 € stamp which is the latest issue of Buzin. I have many different pheasant stamp but this is first time on cover. Pheasant is commonly to be found Eurasia and North America, it also common hunting bird in the world. House Martin is common migratory bird breeds in Eurasia, the birds will fly to southern Asia or sub-Sahara for winter.

50 years on, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

2011-04-29T00:03:00.000+08:00

Clockwise from top-left :
Barnacle Goose (白頰黑雁) ; Black Scoter (黑海番鴨)
Gadwall (赤膀鴨)
Iceland (2011)
27th January, 2011. Reykjavik (first day special postmark)

In 1960, Sir Julian Huxley (22 June 1887 – 14 February 1975), a British biologist wrote a couple of articles related to his observation for newspaper after his East African trip. Huxley received number of feedback on his concerned, one of feedback from Victor Stolan suggested him found an organisation for further conservation. Huxley accepted his suggestion but Stolan did not join the occurrence. Later on, Huxley together with Max Nicholson and Peter Scott produced a document Morges Manifesto, a foundation document of World Wildlife Fund for Nature and signed on 29 April of 1961. It was a beginning of WWF and its organisation registered at Morges, Switzerland on 11th September, 1961. 50 years on, WWF founding and controlling variety conservation areas and supporting different environment events over the world. Today, is a day to celebrate 50th anniversary of the foundation of WWF.

More than 20 countries to be issued stamps to commemorate this event. Guinea-Bissau and Iceland two of the firsts two issued on January, Iceland one features four waterbirds commonly to be found in Europe. Nevertheless, those four species are endangered in Iceland, they are wholly be protected in this island country.

Maxicard
White-fronted Goose (白額雁)
Iceland (2011)
27th January, 2011. Reykjavik (first day special postmark)

Arubian birds

2011-04-24T00:30:00.000+08:00

150c : Bananaquit (蕉森鶯) ; 50c : Tropical Mockingbird (熱帶小嘲鶇)
70c : Venezuelan Troupial (擬黃鸝) ; 60c : American Kestrel (美洲隼)
Aruba (1998)
27th October, 2010. Philatelic Services, Oranjestad

Aruba is located in the south part of West Indian Islands, it is more nearby South America instead of Caribbean so the weather not similar to those islands of Caribbean. This time, the envelope shown as above selected four species commonly to be found in this island but unfortunately the envelope sent inside a packet, while originally would send by registered mail.

Tropical Mockingbird is a resident bird breeding in the range from southern Mexico to Brazil, most common to see in open area. Venezuelan Troupial, is endemic to the Netherlands Antillean also north-east of Columbia and north Venezuela. American Kestrel is widely to see from the range from Alaska to most part of South America.

These four species are not endangered and easy to be found in Aruba.

Common Tern

2011-04-19T21:16:00.000+08:00

Common Tern (普通燕鷗)
The Philippines (1992)
19th November, 2010. Araneta, Cubao

Last few days, here has been posted a set of beautiful parrot stamps from Philippine, and also three tern stamps. The last tern stamp shown as above maxicard, however it seems oddly as two terns are in different looks : the feathers of Philippines one is in black colour while the card photographed as grey. No surprisingly they are two sub-species, the photograph of the card is Sterna hirundo hirundo while stamp is S. h. longipennis, the photograph and the stamp clearly to show what's different of them. In most of south-east areas, S. h. longipennis is having large population than nominate subspecies.

Parrots of the Philippines

2011-04-15T00:05:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
40s : Philippine Cockatoo (菲律賓鳳頭鸚鵡) ; 3.60p : Blue-backed Parrot (藍背鸚鵡)
3.20p : Great-billed Parrot (巨嘴鸚鵡) ; 2.80p : Luzon Racquet-tail (山扇尾鸚鵡)
5p : Philippine Hanging Parrot (菲律賓短尾鸚鵡) ; 2.30p : Guaiabero (菲律賓鸚鵡)
The Philippines (1984)
19th November, 2010. Araneta, Cubao

From left to right :
Striated Heron (綠簑鷺) ; Great Crested Tern (鳳頭燕鷗) ; Ruddy Turnstone (翻石鷸)
The Philippines (1992)

Thanks to Jean-Pierre of Amily, France and Myron of the Philippines, above cover finished successfully with their great help and kindly stamps provided. As Myron says, the parrot stamp sets now selling in dealers of Philippine are near US$3 however I got it in friendship price.

Those six parrots are endemic or near endemic to the Philippines or nearby island Sulawesi, the largest island in the east of Indonesia. Only Azure-rumped Parrot to be found in farther south of Java. Although all of parrot not have endanger situation, the Philippine Cockatoo and Luzon Racquet-tail now listed as endangered species, the reasons because illegal trapping for cage-bird trading or habitat lost. That is, these six parrots are common to see in cage-bird markets over the world.

In the meanwhile, on the back side of the envelope also has three terns and herons stamps, for made-up postage. Those sea birds are commonly to be found south-east coast or off-coast islands of South China Sea and west Pacific Ocean.

Fulmar

2011-04-11T23:52:00.000+08:00

Northern Fulmar (暴雪鸌)
Alderney (2006)
16th November, 2010. Alderney, Guernsey

In the past, Fulmar is one genus either the bird lives in North Atlantic or sub-Antarctic areas. However as they live in different hemispheres, finally divided into two species Northern Fulmar and Southern Fulmar (銀灰暴風鸌). Fulmar is not an endangered species, it mainly visible in coast of North Atlantic with 30 million birds, and the population is increasing in recent years.

The stamp issued by Alderney which is a small island under Guernsey. Alderney began to issue stamps since early 80's years and the stamps either issued by Guernsey and Aldernsey are also valid in these two places. But, honestly speaking, most of Alderney stamps become souvenir instead of postally used.

Wild bird protection

2011-04-07T23:06:00.002+08:00

From left to right :
10p : Kingfisher (普通翠鳥) ; 11½p : White-throated Dipper (河烏)
13p : Moorhen (黑水雞) ; 15p : Yellow Wagtail (黃鶺鴒)
Great Britain (1980)
30th June, 2010. Padgate Lane, Warrington
5th July, 2010. Hongkong

From 1969 to late-90's year of last century of Great Britain, perhaps the print quantity of stamps over collector's demand, most of them are selling in bargain price nowadays, thus so many people - especially for auction sellers (mostly philatelic dealers) who are happy to use them for postage to customer. Above package is a good example to shown how to use these bargain stamps and counter used label for make-up postage.

I never mind use the old stamps in present envelope, just they still valid for postage. This beautiful and classic bird stamp set issued on 1980, for 30 years ago. The stamps illustrated four common species to be found in wild area of England.

Singapore ATM - Singapore Botanic Gardens

2011-04-02T00:00:00.000+08:00

Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝)
Singapore (2009)
24th December, 2010. Singapore

Following the issue of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singpost renewed their vending machine label as similar as the issue. This vending machine label locally called SAM, as known as ATM stamp in the world. Thanks Eddie sent me a Christmas greetings card in the Christmas Eve so I got a copy of the label. The label shown a couple of Mute Swan, seems they are feed by the botanic gardens. This species is not domestic bird of Singapore however most of gardens in the world feeding them as attraction.

The famous feeding place of Mute Swan is Abbotsbury Swannery, where is in Dorset, England. A set of stamps issued as a cover shown here on February 14.

Garden birds of Singapore

2011-03-27T12:10:00.001+08:00

From left to right :
Lesser Coucal (番鵑) ; Pink-necked Green Pigeon (紅頸綠鳩)
Collared Scops Owl (領角鴞)
Singapore (1993)
29th October, 2010. Clementi West

Singapore is a well-known garden city in the world, more than 200 bird species to be found in this small south-east Asian country. Although it was over-developed, the country still provides attractive environment to birds, either resident or migratory. In 1993, three of domestic birds gone to a set of aerogrammes. Thanks Eddie found me these nice collectable items.

Lesser Coucal is domestic bird in south-east Asia, resident from Taiwan to Indonesia, easily to be found in lawns, grasslands or wastelands. It diets mostly are large insects, frogs, lizards, snakes. Pink-necked Green Pigeon also a resident bird of south-east Asia, it diets fruit. The colourful greenish features are attractive to people but it mostly stays in the tree. Collared Scops Owl appears at night, commonly to be found in south-east Asia, from Taiwan, coast of south-China includes Hongkong and most south-east Asian countries.

These three birds are very common in Singapore and can be found them whole of year.

Save the albatross

2011-03-22T00:23:00.008+08:00

Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (大西洋黃鼻信天翁)
Tristan da Cunha (2003)
6th October, 2010. Tristan da Cunha

Beside of the farewell cover shown in last post, I receive an aerogramme on meanwhile. This attractive aerogramme is famous known after it issued which as a part of stamp series Save the albatross on 2003, a souvenir sheet which six stamps. The sheet, also the aerogramme illustrate Yellow-nosed Albatross on the islands, which was formally called before 2004. Later on, BirdLife International split the species into Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (印度洋黃鼻信天翁) Thalassarche carteri, specify two species in two different regions.

Different than Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, it is in larger size. Mostly it to be found in South Atlantic Ocean and Southern Ocean ; also partly Indian Ocean. This endangered species only has population 55,000 to 83,200 when recorded on 2001 by BirdLife International, and most of birds breeding in Tristan da Cunha and surrounded islands. As well as other albatross, the main reason of population decreasing caused by longline fishing in southern oceans.

To conserve the albatrosses, islands nearby Tristan da Cunha, included Gough Island, Nightingale Islands and Inaccessible Island are nature preserves and be listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO at 2004.

Polar Bear Knut features King Penguin

2011-03-20T12:15:00.001+08:00

Polar Bear (北極熊)
(picture illustrated Emperor Penguin (皇帝企鵝)
Germany (2008)
16th March, 2009. Bad Camberg

This special pre-paid envelope was commemorated International Polar Year which held on 2007 to 2008, more than 20 countries issued related stamps during these two years, and I had shown the Portugal one in here. Now, here is one issued by Germany, it features a baby Polar Bear named Knut, who lives and born in Zoologischer Garten Berlin. Knut is very famous in Germany, when it was born, it has been given up by his mother Tosca - she rejected to feed her two babies without any reason. After 4 days, Kunt's bother died and he divided with his mother by feeders of zoo.

On the cover shows on the left side is an icebreaker Polarstern in Antarctic, in the front of the icebreaker are Emperor Penguins. The penguin only can be seen on Antarctic and Southern Ocean, and it is the largest Penguin in the world.

Thanks Katja from Italy and Erich from Germany on the great help of this envelope.

A sad news that Knut left the world on afternoon of 19 March (local time) at Zoologischer Garten Berlin, with unknown reason. He only has 4 years 3 months life when normally most of polar bear has 35 years. Most of Berliner feel brokenhearted when this news appeared.

Farewell to definitive of Tristan

2011-03-17T18:28:00.004+08:00

35p : Great-winged Petrel (巨翅海燕) ; 5p : Antarctic Tern (南極燕鷗)
Tristan da Cunha (2005)
6th October, 2010. Tristan da Cunha

In 2005, Tristan da Cunha, is the remotest inhabit islands in the world issued a set of definitive stamps illustrate 16 Domestic birds. In early time of this blog, here has been shown an ordinary cover with some low-value stamps, and also one registered mail with traditional registration label. Thanks to the info of official site of Tristan da Cunha and the postmistress, this definitive will be withdrawn on October 31 of 2010, to be replaced by Conservation definitive on November. Also, the modern computerised UPU-designed registration code be introduced for a while, it is a time to update the covers from this remote islands.

Great-winged Petrel breeds in the range between 30 to 50 degrees south. Mostly colonies in Tristan da Cunha, Crozet Islands, the Kerguelen Islands and on the coasts of southern Australia, the sub-species to be found in northern New Zealand called Grey-faced Petrel (灰臉圓尾鸌).

Beside of this cover, there also arranged aerogramme, maxicard and cover of new definitive stamps, the areogramme will be shown on next post and other will be displayed when they received.

Is it a Nightingale ?

2011-03-13T15:50:00.002+08:00

$2,50 : Bird in Moonlight (月夜小鳥) ; $3,00 : Flower and Butterfly (花蝶)

Hongkong (2009)

16th May, 2009. Hongkong

In 2009, Hongkong Post issued a set of Museum collections features 6 Chinese drawings and calligraphy. Two of them are collections of Hong Kong Heritage Museum illustrated beauty of nature. After the issue, I spent an afternoon to find these two drawings in the museum, and have a conclusion that the bird in the drawing Bird in Moonlight is Nightingale (夜鶯). It is not surprise as the artist GAO Qifeng (1889 - 1933) drew a bird singing at night with full-moon, the bird has black coloured back and write in stomach. For real bird of nightingale, it is brown coloured back with white stomach, and it likes to sing in midnight, so the drawing exactly similar to species, the variety because Chinese painting rarely to use brown ink.

Nightingale is frequency appear on art of culture, either west or east. The past maxicard of Slovenia, is an example of Slovenian poetry Simon Gregorčič (1844-1906) written a famous poem Soči related to Nightingale.

The other one drawing features nature is Flower and Butterfly by JU Lian (1828 - 1904). A butterfly stops in a peony (牡丹), however so pity that the butterfly is hard to identify.

SAPOA again

2011-03-10T00:05:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
E 1,10 : Blue Crane (藍鶴) ; E 0,85 : Violet-crested Turaco (紫冠蕉鵑)
E 2,45 : Bar-tailed Trogon (斑尾咬鵑) ; E 1,35 : Western Cattle Egret (黃頭鷺)
Swaziland (2004)
25th September, 2010. Mbabane

If you have memory, in August of 2010 I had show a cover sent by Yoram, when he spent a safari trip to Zambia, it was feature a set of SAPOA stamps. Here I would present another cover features this joint-issue - Swaziland, which is a member of SAPOA. Seem I don't need spend the time to talk again these four species, but, these four are national birds of South Africa, Swaziland and Botswana. And also to be found in this small and poorest nation.

Unfortunately, the cover was not send by registered mail upon my request. However the philatelic bureau packed in an official envelope and sent to me. Below is the interesting registered cover by Swaziland Philatelic Bureau.

29th September, 2010. Mbabane
1st October, 2010. Manzini
8th October, 2010. New South Wales, Australia

Yellow-crowned Bishop and Golden-breasted Bunting

2011-03-06T11:28:00.000+08:00

400F : Golden-breasted Bunting (金胸鵐)
270F : Yellow-crowned Bishop (黃頂寡婦鳥)
Benin (1999)
1st October, 2010. Cotonou (Poste Commerce Oanhi)

In recent days, the post office of Benin, where is a poor country in West Africa. Issued couple of overprinted stamps for ordinary use, wide ranges from the oldest Dahomey stamps to modern Benin stamps. Their market price quite interesting to collector but of course, they are not special to Benin locals. To collect a copy of the stamps - the best surprise is overprinted bird stamps, I tried to send a request to philatelic office of Benin on August 2010 and received the feedback after two months. Although it is not bird stamp, it still an overprint example.

Used on the cover are two domestic bird stamps - Yellow-crowned Bishop and Golden-breasted Bunting, while whole set of 6 stamps only these two to be found in Benin. Yellow-crowned Bishop is common to sub-Sahara area, sometimes it appears on European or Asian countries as they escaped from pet host. Golden-breasted Bunting also common to woodlands of sub-Sahara area, three subspecies are found and the one mostly appears in the southern edge area of Sahara is E. f. flavigaster.

Grand Cayman Parrot

2011-03-01T03:17:00.007+08:00

Grand Cayman Amazon (開曼島亞馬遜鸚鵡)
Cayman Islands (1993, 1997)
5th October, 2010. North Side (Registered Dept.)

In the last post related to Ukraine, it shown a first day cover of Cuban Amazon (古巴亞馬遜鸚鵡) which commemorated 150th anniversary of foundation of Kiev Zoo. However, stamps illustrated wildlife is the first choice to collect and now I show one came from Cayman Islands, is one of World Wild Fund series in 1993 illustrates Grand Cayman Amazon, former was a sub-species of Cuban Amazon. The parrot is the national bird of Cayman Islands, the far-left stamp with description.

Grand Cayman Amazon is endemic to Cayman Islands, to be found in Grand Cayman only as it is restricted. Now the population about 3.400 birds and also recorded about 600 birds in Cayman Brac. On the Grand Cayman, the parrot easy to find in the trail of middle area according to the place is Central Mangrove Wetland and undeveloped.

Above cover sent from North Side post office, is one nearby post office of Central Mangrove Wetland. The postmark NS is the short-form of North Side. While other similar example H means Hell post office.

Richtersveld

2011-02-24T11:29:00.000+08:00

Namaqua Sandgrouse (納馬誇沙雞)
South Africa (2010)
1st October, 2010. Tshwane

It is the second post related to Africa during February, totally I will show three in this month. South Africa continued to issue wild animals during 2010, on September a set of 5 stamps illustrate different species to be found, or common species which live in Richtersveld, a UNESCO heritage site inscripted on 2007. It was the third set of South African stamps related to birds in 2010, included International Year of Biodiversity and South Africa bird series : Grassland Birds.

Richtersveld is a mountainous desert landscape in the north Namaqualand of South Africa, sitting in the border of Namibia. The area keeps wide ranges of animals and plants, and also there is a home to Nama, traditional residents of South Africa. Namaqua Sandgrous is an endemic species to be found in Richtersveld, and also Angola, Botswana and Namibia.

Birds of Macedonia

2011-02-18T19:49:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
Eastern Imperial Eagle (白肩鵰) ; Eurasian Hoopoe (戴勝)
Little Egret (小白鷺) ; Glossy Ibis (白頭䴉鸛) ; Purple Heron (紫鷺)
Grey Heron (蒼鷺)
Macedonia (2001, 2008, 2000)
25th December, 2010. Gjorche Petrov

After couple of days, I got a mail from former Yugoslavia country again ; it is the forth after Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. Thanks Ana of this cover and selected variety issues from different period, included two WWF issues : Eastern Imperial Eagle originally to be found in south-east of Europe, west and middle Asian countries. As the inhabit loss, population was decreasing and now it is rarely to find them in Hungary and Pannonian Basin. Hoopoe originally is a common bird, however also the inhabit loss, population in south-east Europe is decreasing and endanger in Macedonia and nearby countries.

Herons and Egrets are common birds in the Europe and Asia, they are popular and famous to bird-watchers.

Abbotsbury Swannery

2011-02-14T11:40:00.000+08:00

Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝)

Great Britain (1993)
21st August, 2010. Abbotsbury, Dorset
21st August, 2010. Dorset & East Devon

Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks during 1040's which has a monastery at Abbotsbury, a small village in the Dorset, and also inside the area of Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO heritage site in Great Britain. The swannery was existence on 1393 when the records written, but probably existed before that.

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only colony of Mute Swan in the world, over 600 swans are feed inside the farm. Naturally Mute Swan is very common to be found in the world, mostly wild life swans are breed in waterside and migrate to south during winter. It distributed in Europe and Asia while North Africa in winter. The swan does not sound in its whole life, it specially has an orange bill bordered with black, ecognisabled by its pronounced knob atop the bill. Today, Abbotsbury Swannery is a tourist attractive as it is a part of UNESCO heritage site in Dorset, where begins from Exmouth to Swanage, total length 153km coastline.

Mute Swan only has one partner in its life, when they found a partner, the couple always play a dance in the lake. As the reason, Mute Swans frequency appear on Valentina cards, greetings stamps or related products.

Herons & Egrets

2011-02-10T14:50:00.001+08:00

From left to right :
800K : Eastern Cattle Egret (牛背鷺) ; 3400K : Eastern Great Egret (大白鷺)
700K : Intermediate Egret (中白鷺) ; 3100K : Grey Heron (蒼鷺)
Laos (2001)
Top : Red Junglefowl (茶花雞)
Laos (2005)
30th August, 2010. Vientiane

This time, I don't want to talk about birds, as these four egrets and heron are commonly to be found in south-east Asian countries.. Laos, perhaps is a secret country to western since they considered to close its country in mid-70's years and opens to the world on 1991. Nowadays, except its capital Vientiane, few of people understand the country except its famous opium in Golden Triangle area.

Above cover with a great help of a stamp dealer in Vientiane, it may be an only stamp dealer in this country. The stamps look different than single stamps which have white frames, as they were come from Philanippon '01 souvenir sheet. However it is disappointed to the sheet not printed in high quality while the colour almost blur and overall not sharp enough, I do think the reason is the stamps printed in Vietnam, instead of most new issues printed in China.

The original souvenir sheet shown as below. Please note that there have a serial code on the top-right corner.

Post & Go labels (II)

2011-02-05T00:35:00.001+08:00

From left to right :
Common Blackbird (烏鶇) ; Common Magpie (喜鵲) ; Eurasian Collared-Dove (灰斑鳩)
European Greenfinch (金翅雀) ; Long-tailed Tit (銀喉長尾山雀) ; Chaffinch (蒼頭燕雀)
Great Britain (2011)
24th January, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

After three months of first bird theme Post & Go labels, the Post Office released second set on January also features 6 common birds. The new set similar to first sixes are illustrated by Peter Horridge but not colourful as first sixes. Once again, thanks to Yoram sent me this cover on the day of issue. As before, the labels are obtained from Trafalgar Square according to the code imprinted on labels.

Dusk at Poyang Lake

2011-02-01T00:25:00.000+08:00

Dusk at Poyang Lake (江西鄱陽湖)
China (2001)
5th August, 2008. Gulou, Nanjing

Very sorry I forget to show you this beautiful pre-paid postcard two years ago ! It was sent by a friend who lives in Nanjiang. Poyang Lake is famous wetland conservation in Jiangxi, the national reserve founded on June, 1983. Now it is the important bird-watching paradise in mainland China.

The picture Dusk at Poyang Lake drawn by unknown artist, who illustrated a group of Oriental Stork (東方白鸛) active in the bank of Poyang Lake during dusk. In the past, Oriental Stork wrongly defined as sub-species of White Stork (白鸛) but they are inhabiting in different places. In post-19980s, they divided to two species and Oriental Stork now is an endangered species in eastern countries.

Kent Ridge Park Trail

2011-01-26T22:06:00.005+08:00

65c : Straw-headed Bulbul (黃冠鵯) ; 80c : White-bellied Sea Eagle (白腹海鵰)
Singapore (2010)
4th October, 2010. Kent Ridge

In September 2009, Singapore Post issued a strip of 4 stamps illustrated Kent Ridge Park Trail, which the panorama style similar as 150th anniversary of foundation of Singapore Botanic Gardens, issued on 2009. These two stamp sets specially illustrated three different bird species, Mute Swan (疣鼻天鵝) in Singapore Botanic Gardens but not domestic species ; Straw-headed Bulbul and White-bellied Sea Eagle appear on Kent Ridge Park Trail.

Kent Ridge Trail is a 280m long canopy walk open in October 2003 link with Kent Ridge Park and reflections at Bukit Chandu. Kent Ridge Park, southern part of Singapore. The park founded in 1954, named as commemoration of a visit by the Duchess Kent and her son on 3rd October, 1952. In 1995, the park was gazetted as World War II heritage site. The stamp value '2nd local' shown the heritage building and the related monuments.

Straw-headed Bulbul is an endangered species in south-east Asia as they losing habitat, it normally to be found in topical rainforest, lowlands, wetlands of North Borneo, Malaya Peninsula and Myanmar. White-bellied Sea Eagle lives in India, south part of Asia and coast of Australia, which is the second large raptors in Australia. It normally nesting in large trees or cliff, neighbour of other sea-eagle.

Above cover specially thanks to Singapore philatelic bureau, be sent on Kent Ridge and the anniversary day of park opening.

Domestic birds of Moldova

2011-01-22T22:44:00.000+08:00

Front side of envelope
From left to right :

85b : Goldfinch (紅額金翅雀) ; 1L : House Sparrow (家麻雀)
1,20 L : Ural Owl (長尾林鴞) ; 4,50 L : Common Magpie (喜鵲)
Moldova (2010)
21st September, 2010. Bender
22nd September, 2010. Tiraspol

In these two years, I had shown different domestic birds of each countries, they are located in variety continents but mostly the species are same. This time, a new country to show is Moldova, a small and poorest country in Eastern Europe. After it independence from former USSR, the area between eastern part of Dniester River and Ukraine, as known as Transnistria to find independence from Moldova. Now they call itself Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and its capital as Tiraspol.

Why do I quote the history of this area ? Please take a look of this cover, the cover sent from Bender, the forth large city in this small country via Tiraspol to Hongkong. The back postmark Tiraspol is similar as Bender which indicated with country name Moldova.

Back to the birds, they are not special to me as they almost shown many times, the latest two House Sparrow and Goldfinch just appeared last week !

Back side of envelope

International Year of Biodiversity (8) - Bolivia

2011-01-19T00:03:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
Bs 3.50 : Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (灰胸雀霸鶲)
Bs 2.00 : Andean Cat Alliance (南美山貓)
Bs 2.50 : Three-coloured Harlequin Toad (厄瓜多爾三色箭毒蛙)
Bs 1.00 : Queen of the Andes (萵氏普亞鳳梨)
Bolivia (2010)
19th December, 2010. La Paz

The postal administration chose 4 variety endemic endangered species for the issue of IYB 2010. Here only have a description of Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, and other three also shown in IYB special page. The grey bird only to be found in Bolivia and Peru, mostly lives in subtropical or topical moist montanes. 3 sub-species identified and the stamp probably shown A. a. bolivianus which is endemic to the Cordillera Oriental of Peru, and the Cordillera Real of Bolivia. There are only 150-300 birds recorded inside Bolivia during 2007.

Petrels and Shearwaters

2011-01-15T17:31:00.001+08:00

From top to bottom :
27p : Sooty Shearwater (灰鸌) ; 70p : White-chinned Petrel (白額鸌)
95p : Southern Giant Petrel (南方巨鸌) ; £1,15 : Great Shearwater (大鸌)
Falkland Islands (2010)
8th July, 2010. Stanley
12th August, 2010. Stanley

After the Albatrosses issue on 2009, Tony Chater illustrated new series of seabird again on 2010 which features 4 species of Procellariidae (水薙鳥科). Four species are fairly common in Southern Ocean and its islands. Sooty Shearwater widely to be found in Pacific and Atlantic. The bird breeds in the islands of south Pacific and Atlantic, especially South Island of New Zealand and Falkland Islands, in the spring of southern world, it migrates long-distance to north for whole summer (there is autumn and winter of northern world) in Mexico, Guadalupe Island, Norway and Scotland. White-chinned Petrel is a large shearwater lives range of Southern Ocean, and also south Australia, Peru and Namibia. Mostly it breeds in the islands of Southern Ocean and one of them is Falkland Islands. Southern Giant Petrel is a common petrel in the world, same as White-chinned Petrel, it also breeds in same range of islands. Falkland is the largest breeding place of the bird near 19.500 pairs recorded on 2005. Great Shearwater, mostly breeds in the islands of south Atlantic from Tristan da Cunha to Falkland, during summer it migrates to north arrive Great Britain and Ireland.

Four shearwaters are catching fish and squid as their food, formally they don't have natural hazards. However most of shearwaters and albatrosses lost their life due to the longline fisheries in southern area, their populations decreasing quickly in recent years. For example population of White-chinned Petrel decreased 40% in these 40 years and now the species classified as Least Concern in IUCN list.

Ruff

2011-01-09T18:28:00.007+08:00

Ruff (流蘇鷸)
Switzerland (1997)
20th November, 1997. Bern (first day cancellation)
18th October, 2010. Köniz

Thanks to Zasa for this nice first day cover, unfortunately it was damaged by someone in Hongkong who affix couple of 'Hongkong Postage Paid' label on the cover. Above image shown the labels removed - none of one stamp in good condition. I reported it to my delivery office but officer doesn't have idea of this situation. However, if no label overlapped, this mail is postage insufficient according to the handwriting T 1,90/1,40.

Ruff, is a beautiful wading bird to be found in Europe and Africa, when the bird migrates in winter. Males specially with blacked or white-coloured head tufts which is attract females, as its special look, in 16th to 17th century nobles kill them for woman wearing or decoration of the clothes, as a result the population has been decreased in this period. Ruff normally breeds in northern Eurasian area, but migrates to sub-Sahara area, South Asia or South Australia in winter. However some of ruffs are resident in Europe for whole year.

Until 18th century, nobles forgave to use head tufts for decoration, population of ruff increased back to normal range.

Definitive stamps of the Philippines

2011-01-05T23:18:00.000+08:00

First row from left to right :
1 peso : Mugimaki Flycatcher (鴝姬鶲) ; 2 pesos : Narcissus Flycatcher (黃眉姬鶲)
3 pesos : Turquoise Flycatcher (菲律賓銅藍鶲) ; 5 pesos : Brown Shrike (紅尾伯勞)
8 pesos : Apo Myna (阿波王椋鳥) ; 9 pesos : Philippine Serpent Eagle (菲律賓蛇老鷹)
10 pesos : Blue-crowned Racket-tail (藍冠扇尾鸚鵡)
Second row : Black-naped Oriole (黃鸝)
The Philippines (2008, 2009)
7th October, 2010. Manila

In 2008 and 2009, Philippine postal administration issued two sets bird definitive stamps, most of species are same but the designs are vary. Before, I had shown them here and now have another one. Thanks Myron again of this mail, although some stamps on this mail are duplicated with last mail.

Above 8 species, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher and Turquoise Flycatcher are common in old world flycatcher family to Far-East, from the range of Japan to Indonesia. Except Turquoise Flycatcher is a resident, those of them are migratory birds which breed in eastern coast of China, Japan and Taiwan ; and stay in Philippine for winter. They mostly habit in the forest and woodland at low elevations, sometimes to be seen them in the park when migrating.

Philippine Serpent Eagle is endemic birds of prey to the Philippines, it is commonly to be found in most major islands of this nation, except Palawan. It habits most of primary or secondary forests and sometimes in cultivated lands with scattered trees.

Siberian Crane

2011-01-01T11:11:00.008+08:00

Siberian Crane (西伯利亞白鶴)

Iran (2007)

1st August, 2010. Tehran (Philatelic Bureau)

Siberian Crane, as known as Snow Crane mostly to be found in Far East region of Russia, breeds in Sakha Republic and Siberia while migrates to Fereidoonkenar and Isfahan of Iran ; Keoladeo National Park of India and south of Yangtze River of China for winter. It almost in white and brown but with blackish long bill, about 140cm tall and can be near 10kg weight. The population decreased quickly with unknown reasons in recent years, but scientist thought that construction of Three Gorges Dam in China is one reason caused they lost habitat.

This year is 50th anniversary of World Wide Fund of Natural. To celebrate this event, many countries and areas planned to issue stamps feature related foundation people and endangered species, until now confirmed Swiss, Great Britain and Macao issue the theme during 2011.

Migatory birds of Central America

2010-12-28T02:02:00.000+08:00

Front

From left to right :
Northern Flicker (撲動鴷) ; Cedar Waxwing (雪松太平鳥)
Northern Shoveler (琵嘴鴨)

Back

From left to right :
Painted Bunting (麗色彩鵐) ; American Peregrine Falcon (美國游隼)
El Salvador (2007)
18th October, 2010. Ventanilla (Sonsonate), San Salvador

El Salvador is a small country in the middle of Central America, also 70% areas of this nation are high mountains and hill lands. As these reasons, El Salvador is the important station for migratory birds from northernmost Canada to southern places for winter. Above envelope, which sent by William on last October, features a set and souvenir sheet of Migratory Birds series of El Salvador, thanks to his excellent cover.

These five species are specially selected, they commonly live in North America, widely to be found in Canada or United States, during October and November, they begin their long haul journey to Central America for winter, one of country is El Salvador.

Christmas robin

2010-12-24T02:00:00.000+08:00

European Robin (知更鳥)
Ireland (2010)

4th November, 2007. Dublin (First day special postmark)

Wish you merry Christmas ! This time only show a maxicard features Irish Robin, it is the second time arrange same theme maxicard while last one was Luxembourg on 2007. The card still using my own illustrated robin postcard used on Post & Go issue on September.

Art of Turkey again

2010-12-22T21:21:00.000+08:00

250.000 Lira : Rüppell's Warbler (魯普氏林鶯)
1.000.000 Lira : Chaffinch (蒼頭燕雀)
600.000 Lira : Melodious Warbler (優音籬鶯)
Turkey (2004)
19th August, 2010. Pasaport, Ízmir

Thanks A. Demír again he frequency to send me fine art covers with personalised 'stamp' - please note it is for decoration only. This time, he affixed two woodpecker personalised 'stamps', which looks like European Green Woodpecker (綠啄木鳥). Below them, there are 4 real Turkish stamps which are presented before. However, the stamps seem oddly as they has postmarked before, are they recycle stamps ?

Domestic birds of the Philippines

2010-12-17T15:18:00.001+08:00

See below picture for description
From top left to bottom right :
Blue-naped Parrot (藍頸鸚鵡) ; Luzon Bleeding-heart (呂宋雞鳩)
Palawan Peacock-Pheasant (巴拉望孔雀雉) ; Whiskered Pitta (呂宋八色鶇)
The Philippines (1994)
13th August, 2010. Manila

Thanks to Myron of this mail, actually the stamps seem fine for me but not attractive, perhaps most of the Philippines stamps are look like fade out some colour. Anyway, I should make an introduce of the stamps, as these four species are endemic to this island country.

Blue-naped Parrot, as known as Luzon Parrot is endemic to Luzon and Mindoro of the country. It has three sub-species which to be found in Polillo of the Philippines, Maluku and Borneo of Indonesia. Luzon Bleeding-heart also is endemic to Luzon, the north part of the country, it specially has a red-dot on the front, near breast. Mostly the dove appears on the forest of the islands. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant is a beautiful bird with metallic-blue and black feathers, it is endemic to the Philippines of humid forests Palawan Islands. Whiskered Pitta also endemic to the Philippines, however it is no record which area to be found them mostly.

Due to the damaged or lost of habitat, above 4 species are listed as endangered or vulnerable species in IUCN Red List.

Peniche, Portugal

2010-12-13T23:19:00.002+08:00

Maxicard

Razorbill (刀嘴海雀)
Portugal (2008)
30th June, 2010. Peniche

Nothing special, these maxicard and cover just the last items to complete the series International Polar Year, which issued on 2008. This time, I selected Peniche where is an important fishing town in the western coast of Portugal. The town with near 15,000 inhabitants also is a bird-watching paradise as there have cliffs and reserved islands Berlengas are breeding places of seabirds.

Unfortunately, postmark on the maxicard shown above is not clear enough, but it still readable. Please note that the bee-eater stamp is not valid for postage after April 30, but the post office still cancelled the stamp regularly.

From left to right :
0.30 €: Sanderling (三趾濱鷸) ; 1,00 € : Arctic Tern (南極燕鷗)
0,52 €: Razorbill (刀嘴海雀) ; 0,02 € : European Bee-eater (黃喉蜂虎)
Portugal (2008, 2002)
30th June, 2010. Peniche

Domestic birds in Middle-east

2010-12-08T22:06:00.001+08:00

From left to bottom :

Eastern Orphean Warbler (東歌林鶯) ; Woodchat Shrike (林即鳥伯勞)

Isabelline Shrike (荒漠伯勞) ; Lesser Grey Shrike (黑額伯勞)

Chiffchaff (嘰咋柳鶯) ; Yellow Wagtail (黃鶺鴒)

State of Qatar (2010)

8th September, 2010. Doha

In this blog, rarely to show cover sent from Middle-East, here is the latest example features a set of bird stamps issued by Qatar. They are beautiful warblers and shrikes, thanks Dale sent me this nice cover with the cover of booklet. Honestly, I like the single stamps more than the stamps come from booklet, as they shown completed birds instead of only heads.

Six stamps only Eastern Orphean Warbler is new species to appear on stamp, it is sub-species of Orphean Warbler (歌林鶯) to be found and endemic to Central Asia. The bill is longer than another sub-species Western Orphean Warbler (西歌林鶯) and endemic to sub-Sahara area.

Great Tits again

2010-12-04T11:24:00.001+08:00

Great Tit (大山雀)
Monaco (2002)
2nd September, 2010. Monte-Carlo

Thanks to David of this attractive cover from Monaco, although I have collect many covers feature Great Tit stamp, it is the one most beautiful beside of the Serbian first day cover. Identically the one sent from Swiss also arranged by David.

Seems I do not need make description again, Great Tit is a common bird to be found in Europe. Mostly it appears on the backyard of resident.

International Year of Biodiversity (7) - Malta

2010-11-30T00:00:00.001+08:00

€1,40 : Maltese Freshwater Crab (馬耳他淡水蟹)
€0,68 : European Storm Petrel (暴風海燕)
Malta (2010)
15th November, 2010. Marsa (Philatelic Bureau)

This is the seventh cover related to the theme International Year of Biodiversity, again it is European country which located in the middle of Mediterranean Sea. Four stamps illustrated variety species to be found in biodiversity environment, here selected three and affixed on two individual covers, the first one as above. Maltese Freshwater Crab is endemic freshwater crab to Maltese islands, it looks reddish grown with 10 legs, originally it was live over the island areas but population decreasing in recent years, and now rare to find in this nation. Storm Petrel, is a small migratory sea-bird commonly to be found in north Atlantic and western Mediterranean. In each summer, it flies from northernmost of Atlantic island - Nólsoy, the breeding colony in the Faroes to south for Malta, the large colony of Storm Petrel.

Another cover features Maltese Wall Lizard (馬爾他牆壁蜥蜴) is showing on the page International Year of Biodiversity at meanwhile.

New World Warblers and Sparrow

2010-11-25T20:20:00.003+08:00

From left to right :
Black-throated Green Warbler (黑喉綠林鶯)
Black-and-white Warbler (黑白苔鶯) ; Red Fox Sparrow (紅狐狸麻雀)
St Pierre & Miquelon (2008, 2010, 2009)
17th August, 2010. Saint-Pierre

Here is a special St Pierre & Miquelon's cover sent by Tristan, thanks to him again after his last cover from Saba, the Netherlands Antilles. SPM (short form of the territory) is located in north-east of America, off-shore of Newfoundland of Canada to be found about 300 bird species. Two years ago a registered cover features Rough-legged Hawk (粗腿鷹) shown here was the first cover in my collection. Above cover, featuring 3 recent issues is the second one.

Black-throated Green Warbler and Black-and-white Warbler are belong to Parulidae (林鶯科), they are small songbird and only live in east part of North America. Black-throated Green Warbler breeds in south Canada, also SPM, and they follow the coastline migrate to Gulf of Mexico in winter. Black-and-white Warbler, as well as zebra, with overall black-and-white vein pattens. It habits in most part of Canada, SPM and most eastern area of United States, also migrates to Latin America in winter.

Red Fox Sparrow, under Emberizidae (鵐科) family, also a common sparrow in America. It is a sub-species of Fox Sparrow (狐色麻雀) which has brightest body colour and habits in central and east coasts, include Newfoundland and SPM. In winter and non-breeding season, it migrates to further south on October and returns back on May next year.

Canadian Geographic's Wildlife Photography of the Year

2010-11-20T17:09:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
Great Blue Heron (大藍鷺) ; Rufous Hummingbird (褐背蜂鳥)
Tree Swallow (樹燕)
Canada (2010)
1st September, 2010. Vancouver

In each year. Canadian Geographic, a national wildlife magazine holds a competition for their resident entry wildlife photographing. On 2009, there are 52 photos related to different categories win the competition. Five of winning photographs issued as a souvenir sheet in mid-2010 by Canada Post. Above letter, thanks to Ong sent me three stamps photographed birds species.

Great Blue Heron was taken by Martin Cooper in autumn, he caught the heron standing on the rock of Gray and Byrne creeks, Burnaby. Grey Blue Heron is a common migratory bird in North America, it will fly to Gulf of Mexico or coast of East Pacific for winter. However, the birds live in south United States are resident.

Rufous Hummingbird was taken by Wing Yan Tam who only 15, she said she waiting the bird for hours in Richmond Nature Park, Vancouver. Rufous Hummingbird habits in the forest edges of western North America, from south Alaska to California. The bird will migrate to south during July and August and arrive Guerrero of Mexico.

Tree Swallow was taken by Mark Bradley in unusual nesting place of Jasper, Alta. He made a description to the photograph says people endure strange looks who couldn't understand why he was pointing such a large lens at an ordinary pipe. Tree Swallow also a migratory of North America, it moves to south for winters in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

For more entries and original photograph of the winner, please visit the official website http://photoclub.canadiangeographic.ca/cg/Contests/wpy/default.aspx

100th anniversary of Kiev Zoo

2010-11-15T15:30:00.008+08:00

Cuban Amazon (古巴亞馬遜鸚鵡)

Ukraine (2009)
20th February, 2009. Kiev
20th August, 2010. Dnipropetrovsk

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of foundation of Kiev Zoo, the Ukraine Post issued a souvenir sheet for this event. As well as other issues of different countries, species in the stamps mostly are not local species, above Cuban Amazon is one of example. Thanks to Volodymyr for this nice first day cover.

Cuban Amazon is almost greenish bodied with blue wings parrot which endemic to islands of Cuba, Bahamas and Cayman. There has four sub-species to indicate the bird appears on which area, while they features different colour of head. For human-feed parrot, almost just called Cuban Amazon. Wild parrot only to be found inside Cuba and Isla de la Juventud with population 10.000 and 1.320 birds respectively. For other sub-species, there has 3.420 birds of Grand Cayman Amazon (開曼島亞馬遜鸚鵡) A. l. caymanensis which endemic to Cayman Islands ; Bahama Amazon (巴哈馬群島亞馬遜鸚鵡) A. l. bahamensis has 3.550 birds while Cayman Brac Amazon (開曼巴克島亞馬遜鸚鵡) A. l. hesterna has 500 birds only, these two sub-species only live in dry forest and fields of these two islands.

I also collected a cover of Grand Cayman Amazon, which is a part of WWF stamp series. It will be shown here on next March.