⭕️Blue-breasted Kingfisher

Blue-breasted Kingfisher (藍胸翡翠)
São Tomé e Príncipe (2015)

3rd February, 2016. São Tomé

The blue-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical west Africa. This kingfisher is essentially resident, but retreats from drier savanna areas to wetter habitats in the dry season.

This is a large kingfisher, 25 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail. Its underparts are white, but it has a blue breast band. The shoulders are black. The flight of the blue-breasted kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The legs are bright red.

The blue-breasted kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats. It perches quietly in deep shade whilst seeking food. It is territorial but wary. This species mainly hunts large insects, arthropods, fish and frogs, but will also eat the fruit of the Oil Palm.

It has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white linings. The nest is a hole in a tree termite nest. A single clutch of two round white eggs is typical.

Seabirds of São Tomé e Príncipe

Top : Comb Duck (瘤鴨) ; Brown Booby (白腹鰹鳥) ; Cape Gannet (南非鰹鳥)
Bottom : Brown Booby (白腹鰹鳥) ; Cape Gannet (南非鰹鳥) ;
Fulvous Whistling-duck (草黃樹鴨)
São Tomé e Príncipe (2013)
1st November, 2013. Central

Sadly, the cover did not send by registered mail due to not enough postage, however it seems nicer than last cover, the Congo Grey Parrot. In recent years, São Tomé e Príncipe issues be positioning as commercial stamps by some collector due to their issues mostly not be used in postal system. By the way in my opinion some issues still collectable to theme collectors, if the stamps related to the country.

These 4 seabird species are commonly live in Atlantic Ocean, they of course reasonable to be found in São Tomé e Príncipe, the small island country near Equator of Atlantic Ocean.

⭕️Flamingos

Lesser Flamingo (小紅鸛)
São Tomé e Príncipe (2013)
30th May, 2013. Central

Greater Flamingo (大紅鶴)
São Tomé e Príncipe (2013)
30th May, 2013. Central

Two flamingo species are selected for this article, which issued by rare country São Tomé e Príncipe, the islands country located in Equator. Lesser Flamingo is a species of flamingo occurring in sub-Saharan Africa with another population in India. Birds are occasionally reported from further north, but these are generally considered vagrants. And another one, Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia (coastal regions of Pakistan and India), and southern Europe.

Although São Tomé e Príncipe is far away from Africa mainland, two flamingos still to be found in there.

Congo Grey Parrot, part II

Congo Grey Parrot (剛果灰鸚鵡)
São Tomé e Príncipe (2009)
25th June, 2009. São Tomé

One of latest WWF issue of 2009, illustrates Congo Grey Parrot of São Tomé e Príncipe, an islands and poorest country of Africa. The country located outside Gulf of Guinea and nearest Equator.

Congo Grey Parrot is one of sub-species of African Grey Parrot (非洲灰鸚鵡), this species has been shown here before, the Taiwan and Angola stamps separately. Congo Grey Parrot only can be found in Ilha do Príncipe of this country, and nearest island Bioko of Equatorial Guinea. Congo Grey Parrot owns grey-whited feather, reddish tail with dark-grey bill. Another sub-species of African Grey Parrot is Timneh Grey Parrot (提姆那灰鸚鵡), it is smaller size than Congo Grey Parrot and rarely can be found in natural environment. Population from Guinea-Bissau to Cote d'Ivorie, the different is it owns dark-reddish brown tail and the bill with yellow colour.

Congo Grey Parrot is popular pet over the world, most of parrots are bleeding humanised. Wild lived Congo Grey Parrots are being endangered, unfortunately they are facing illegal catching and trading.