Colourful birds of Brazil

From left to bottom :
Red-crested Cardinal (紅冠繼嘴鵐) ; Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (圭亞那動冠傘鳥)
Blue-naped Chlorophonia (藍枕綠雀) ; Blue Finch (黃嘴藍鵐)
Red-necked Tanager (紅頸唐納雀) ; Scarlet-headed Blackbird (紅頭黑鸝)
Brazil (2009)
2nd October, 2009. São Paulo (First day postmark)
12th November, 2009. Philatelic Bureau, Río de Janeiro

To commemorate Brazil participated Lubrapex 2009 at Évora of Portugal, Brazil Post issued a sheetlet on 2nd October which is the first day of exhibition. The sheet contains six beautiful bird stamps which are common to Brazil and South American countries, the bird on each stamps specially printed with UV varnishing. Border of the sheetlet bore logos Lubrapex 2009 and Birdpex 6, a stamp exhibition will be held on Belgium on 2010. Thanks to Lincoln who sent me two beautiful covers of this issue, one with special cancellation and other one postmarked normal cancellation.

Until 2009, Brazil Issued more than 100 bird stamps and mostly are different, two of recent issues have been shown here and more may be shown in future. Today is the last day of 2009, of course it is the last post of this year, in here wish all happy new year.

Touristic postmarks of Swiss

In the past here had shown some pictorial postmarks from Switzerland, but as the limited writing, here did not write any detailed description about these pretty postmarks. These postmarks called touristic postmarks. Now review them once as below.

From left to right :
City sight (城市景色), 3000 Bern
City sight (城市景色), 6204 Sempach Stadt ; Ibex (羱羊), 7530 Zernez

Touristic postmarks are long history in Swiss postal history, since 40's years of last century, many post offices where have special sight or located in tourist points were started to use pictorial postmarks to replace regular postmarks, mostly they illustrate the sight of village, mountains, bridges or local residences. However few of them illustrate natural animals and other local industry. In recent days, I received two more touristic postmarks, the first one is illustrated wetland of Brittnau, the couple of White Stork (白鸛) is bleeding their chicken in their nest. The far background is Brittnau, it is a small village in the north side of Switzerland. Second one affixed with two bird stamps Bullfinch and Great Tit, which issued on 1968 and 2007 respectively. These two birds are very common to be find in this nation. The cancellation illustrated local residence St. Wendelin, which built in 1576.

Four seasons of Switzerland (瑞士四季景色)
(L : Jura ; R : Engadin, Grischun)
Switzerland (1996)
10th November, 2009. Brittnau

L : Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀) ; R : Great Tit (大山雀)
Switzerland (1968, 2007)
20th November, 2009. Geuensee

L : White Stork (白鸛), 4805 Brittnau
R : Kapelle St. Wendeln (St. Wendeln 住宅), 6232 Geuensee

In the end of this post, also have one cover from Swiss would shown here. The cover affixed two latest definitive stamps issue and sent from Lausanne. Unfortunately it cancelled by regular postmark but it looks fine. Thank you Vural of Switzerland and David of France to send me these nice and beautiful covers. Following days may obtain more Swiss touristic postmarks for the collection.

L : Chaffinch (蒼頭燕雀) : R : Great Tit (大山雀)
Switzerland (2007)
7th November, 2009. Saint-François, Lausanne

Sea birds of South Pacific

From left to right :
10 F : Eastern Reef Heron (太平洋岩鷺) ; 20 F : Audubon's Shearwater (奥杜邦氏鹱)
26 F : Great Frigate Bird (軍艦鳥) ; 54 F : Red-tailed Tropic Bird (紅尾鸏)
Wallis and Futuna (1999)
29th October, 2009. Mata-Utu

Here is a nice se-tangent strip stamps of Wallis and Futuna issued on 10 years ago, each stamp illustrated a pair of birds except the last one. These four species are very common to be found in south-west Pacific area, and the coastline of west Pacific, from Japan, China to Indonesia, and the farther Indian Ocean. Audubon's Shearwater also appears on the tropical area of Atlantic Ocean.

Wallis and Futuna is a group of isands mainly called Wallis Island and Hoorn Islands (a.k.a. Futuna) located in the middle of South Pacific, not far away from French Polynesia. Same as French Polynesia, it also an overseas collectivity of France, Now the population of the islands about 14,000.

French DOM collection (2) - Martinique

Front

Blue-headed Hummingbird (藍頂蜂鳥)
France (2003)
30th October, 2009. Saint Pierre, Martinique
10th November, 2009. Hongkong

It is the second mail of this series, in here I would note that the last mail has been collected few days ago so I will post them all in following two months. Martinique is an island located in Caribbean, it is a famous place for vacation in America and Europe. The north of island is mountainous and lushly forested but south is lowland area, thus many wild life species to be found in the north of island.

Blue-headed Hummingbird is endemic to Dominica and Martinique. Same as Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher, it is very common to be found in these islands although it lives in limited area. It mostly habits in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

In front of cover affixed with three stamps, except the hummingbird stamp, two of them also related to Martinique. The left one, issued on 2009 is commemorated a Marinican francophone poet Aimé Césaire (1913-2008) who was was born in Basse-Pointe and death in Fort-de-France, he also was a member of the French Communist Party. The right one, is a panorama of Saint Pierre, the place where the mail be sent. It shown the famous sight Mount Pelée and local catholic church. Saint-Pierre was a primary city of Martinique before the volcano erupted on 1902, this accident cause 30,000 people killed and the capital moved to Fort-de-France until now.

Back

Birds of the tropics (2)

2000K : Red-collared Lorikeet (紅領吸蜜鸚鵡)
400K : Great Indian Hornbill (雙角犀鳥)
Zambia (2000)
22nd September, 2009. Ndola
23rd September, 2009. Lusaka

Continuous from the last Zambian thread, here is second cover of same series Birds of the tropics. Cockatiel (雞尾鸚鵡) and Amazonian Umbrellabird (亞馬遜傘鳥) are also appear on this cover but only for make-up rate, so this cover included four of five stamps in this single stamp set. Thank you Andrew who lives in Ndola to help me arrange and sent the covers, surprisingly these two covers are sent under correct postage, this situation seems not very common in most African countries.

Red-collared Lorikeet is a species of Australasian parrot in Psittacidae (鸚鵡科) family, wild live parrots to be found in northern Australia. It looks very similar with Rainbow Lorikeet (彩虹吸蜜鸚鵡) but the head of Red-collared Lorikeet is blueish, it is one of the largest parrot in Australasia. Nowadays, Red-collared Lorikeet is a popular pet bird in the world, it is an actively parrot needs width space and frequent changed environment to let parrot does not feel boring.

The stamp description as Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus, due to Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus h. rubritorquis is a sub-species of Rainbow Lorikeet. However some biologist listed as independent species Trichoglossus rubritorquis.

Great Indian Hornbill is a largest species in Bucerotidae (犀鳥科) family, it to be found in India, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. The bird specially features a large and width yellowish casque above its bill, the Chinese name of the bird designated as the casque looks like two horns. The live of Great Indian Hornbill above 50 years, however as the damage of inhabited area and illegal hunting, population of the hornbill is decreasing.

Although the stamps are overlapped by modern registration label, the cover also written a registration number 1149 by Ndola post office. This situation because most of postal system in African countries being computerise, small post offices are still using traditional registration label or hand-writing format registration number but central post office records the mails by computer. More examples can be found in Burkina Faso and Gabon.

Yellow-bellied Tit

Yellow-bellied Tit (黃腹山雀)
China (2004)
23rd August, 2007. Guangzhong Road, Shanghai

On 2002, Chinese People Post released two definitive stamp sets to replace old Great Wall definitive stamps, the 30th group named Protect the common homeland of mankind and the 31st group illustrated 9 different birds endemic to China or Taiwan - in its government option says it has control right of this nation. Two stamps from this bird set Chinese Monal Pheasant (綠尾虹雉) and Tibetan Bunting (藏鵐) have been shown separately before, now is the third one issued on 2004.

Yellow-bellied Tit is endemic to mid-Chinese area, farther north from Hebei to southernmost of Sichuan. Normally widely lives in 500m to 2,000m highland and migrate to flatland in winter, usually actives on the needle leaved tree and wide leaved tree.

Joint issue - Baltic birds

From left to bottom :
Western Osprey (魚鷹) ; Black-tailed Godwit (黑尾塍鷸)
Common Shelduck (翹鼻麻鴨) ; Common Merganser (川秋沙)
Estonia (1992)
17th September, 2007. Jöhvi

In 2002, four Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden were issued a set of common designed stamps features four Baltic birds, when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were newly independent from former USSR. Four stamps are printed in intaglio and issued as booklet format. Four birds are commonly to be found in these four countries, Black-tailed Godwit breeds from Iceland to most of Europe, and also areas of Central Asia. The bird migrates to Australia, western Europe and western Africa in winter. Now Black-tailed Godwit classified as near threatened. Merganser is a large-sized duck distributed over north Eurasia and North America, most commonly lives in the lacks and rivers.

For enough postage, a Northern Lapwing (鳳頭麥雞) stamp issued on 2001 also be affixed on the envelope, thanks Kristiina for this nice cover.

Biodiversity : Between north and south of the Atlas

Maxicard
Common Ostrich (駝鳥)
Morocco (1998)
29th October, 2009. Rabat Postal Museum, Rabat

The Atlas, is a range of mountains through Morocco, Algeria and western of Tunisia, it separates southern Mediterranean coastline and Sarah Desert to these three countries. In the northern part of the Atlas is Mediterranean climate and the southern part is dried desert climate, thus there has biodiversity in these countries, and Morocco is in the eastern part of this area.

Common Ostrich is a flightless bird widely to be found in grassland and desert of Africa, wild life ostriches live in Western Sarah, where is the area of grassland and Sarah Desert. Ostrich is the largest bird in the world, males can be measured more than 2,5 meter high and 155 kilogram. Although it can not fly, it advantaged in run. Now ostrich becomes a popular poultry and feed it humanly worldwide.

Nightingale is a songbird widely to be found in Europe and part of north-west of Africa, it also commonly fed by human as well as ostrich but it only for pet birds. Wild life nightingales are live in coastline of Morocco, from Atlantic to Mediterranean. Nightingale stamps also appeared on the stamps of Spain and Slovenia, which are in envelope or maxicard format respectively.

Below cover was a return envelope for above maxicard, two items totally three sets of the stamps have been used. For enough postage, a make-up rate stamp to be affixed on the envelope, which is an Iris (鳶尾花) stamp issued on 1968. However so pity that it hasn't been cancelled.

L : Nightingale (夜鶯) ; R : Common Ostrich (駝鳥)
Morocco (1998)
29th October, 2009. Rabat Postal Museum, Rabat
29th October, 2009. Rabat Central

Great Tit

Great Tit (大山雀)
Spain (2009)
12th November, 2009. Barcelona

Thanks David sent me this nice mail from Barcelona which franked with three same domestic bird stamps issued on 2009, same as recent bird issues, it comes from self-adhesive booklet. Great Tit is a common songbird to be found in most Eurasian countries and Morocco, it mostly lives in mountain and flatland.forest. In summer it residents in high mountain area but will migrate to lowland in winter. Although the bird does not list as endangered species, it faces illegal trading in China as it is famous pet bird in this country.

Beside of above cover, Switzerland and Estonia also issued a Great Tit stamp on 2007 and 2003 respectively. A maxicard was shown in here on February.

Birds of Portugal

From left to right :
0,54 € and 0,43 € : Eurasian Eagle-owl (鵰鴞)
0,60 € : Red-necked Nightjar (紅頸夜鷹) ; 0,58 € : Thekla Lark (短嘴鳳頭百靈)
0,01 € : European Green Woodpecker (綠啄木鳥) ; 0,28 € : Little Tern (小燕鷗)
0,72 € : European Crested Tit (鳳頭山雀)
Portugal (2002, 2003, 2004)
23rd October, 2009. Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon
30th October, 2009. Hongkong

Since 2000, Portugal Post issued five pretty definitive stamp series feature 26 species which to be found in this nation, beside products also included some postal stationary, postage label, self-adhesive booklets and stamps for domestic priority mail. To suit the currency changed from Escudo to Euro on 2002, the stamp denominations of first and second series are indicated with both Escudo to Euro currencies and other three are only in Euro, when Escudo lost its official currency on 2002. In here I have been shown two covers, one was the postage label and another was two of this definitive set. Thank you Paula again she sent me above attractive cover from Lisbon, with many stamps of this definitive set. Those species are simplely descript as below.

Eurasian Eagle-owl is the world largest Strigidae (鴟鴞科) species, its length can be over 80cm widely lives in Eurasia and southern Sahara. Mostly to be found in woodland forests and hilly mountains. The type locality of the specis located in Switzerland. Red-necked Nightjar is the largest nightjar common to be found in Iberia and North Africa, and they shall migrate to West Africa during late April to May. Thekla Lark is a dark-browned bird widely to be found in Eurasia and North Africa, also whole sub-Saharan area. Commonly lives in dry plains and area near desert. Always walks on the land or flying with wave sharp. European Green Woodpecker occurs in most parts of Europe and western Asia. Except the bill and reddish head, whole body in green colour. Crested Tit is a common resident breeder in coniferous forest of northern Europe and deciduous forest of France and Iberia.

Beside of above cover, I also sent one cover with Red-rumped Swallow stamps during I was travelling to Portugal on 2007. Red-rumped Swallow widely to be found in Siberia and whole eastern Asia, India Peninsula, southern Europe, northern Africa and western and eastern sub-Sahara area. Below is the part of the cover only shown the stamps and postmark, the photograph on left side is wall decoration of the Caldas da Reinha post office, which is original place to send this mail.

Red-rumped Swallow (金腰燕)
Portugal (2004)
3rd July, 2007. Caldas da Rainha

Lesser Whistling Duck

Lesser Whistling Duck (栗樹鴨)
Indonesia (2000)
9th November, 2009. Tanahmas, Semarang

Lesser Whistling Duck is not first time to show in this blog, however it only has been appeared as small bird of Cambodia issue. The bird quite commonly resident in south and south-east Asian countries, from Sri Lanka, India, Malay to Vietnam and Indonesia, also the south bank of Yangzi River of China, Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands. In Indonesia, the species only to be found in Sumatra, Java, south-west of Kalimantan and its nearest islands. The type locality of Lesser Whistling Duck located in Java.

Above cover sent from Semarang, where is a town of northern Java. Actually it is not first mail from Indonesia but is first one affixed with bird stamps. The stamp issued on 2000 as reprinted and colour changed, original stamp issued on 1998 was one of Duck definitive stamp set. Swap stamps and covers with Indonesian is not easy as the mails always lost in this country and don't have any recovery.

Where are the birds ?

38p : Variegated Scallop (斑麗扇貝), Dogwhelk (疣荔枝螺)
European Cowrie (紫貝) and Painted Topshell (馬蹄螺)
20p : Burnet Rose (蘇格蘭薔薇)
Guernsey (1999)
6th August, 2009. Herm Island

In 1999, Guernsey issued a set of Natural Park and Reserves which includes one Europa stamp, four stamps illustrated different species found in Herm Island, meantime, each stamp respectively shown one label issued on 1954 by Herm Island, as the island still owned by private at the time.

Above cover features two stamps of this stamp set, one is different kind of shells on the beach and another is wild flower growing beside beach. However, could you find any bird inside the stamps ? In the 38p stamp, designer also illustrated a pair of Eurasian Oystercatcher (蠣鴴) for finding shells as their food. Different than American Oystercatcher (美洲蠣鷸), it only to be found in Europe and Asia, and Africa when the bird migrate to there in winter.

French DOM collection (1) - Réunion

From left to right :
0,46 € : Purple-throated Carib (紫喉蜂鳥)
0,61 € : Blue-headed Hummingbird (藍頂蜂鳥)
0,69 € : Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher (馬斯卡林壽帶鶲)
0,46 € : Channel-billed Toucan (藍面巨嘴鳥)
France (2003)
24th August, 2009. Forum-des-halles, Paris

In April, here had introduced an envelope stamped with French Overseas territories' birds issue, however it only has hummingbird and toucan. After a couple of months, François sent me above cover with whole set of stamps, thanks to his great mail. Of course, this cover seems missing something. During the holiday of October, I started a new project about mails send from all of four French overseas departments - Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana. Now I would beginning to show them in four threads, although only two have been turned back, and first one is Réunion.

Front

Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher (馬斯卡林壽帶鶲)
France (2003)
17th October, 2009. Cilaos, Réunion
27th October, 2009. Hongkong

Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher is endemic to area of Mauritius and Réunion, although the bird lives in restricted area, it still have huge population widely to be found in subtropical and tropical moist lowland forest. Réunion is a volcano island located in west Indian Ocean, in the middle of Madagascar and Mauritius. Seashore is tropical rainforest climate for whole year and it suitable for most tropical species, include Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher. Different than seashore, internal of Réunion is mountain climate as the active volcano of north-west elevated 3,060.5m named Piton des Neiges, and Piton de la Fournaise elevated 2,631m is on the eastern side of island.

The mail was sent from a town Cilaos, populated 6,100 inhabitants located in the central of Réunion. As there near Piton des Neiges, a caldera also called Cilaos is not far away from the town. In the May of 1952, there recorded the world greatest amount of rainfall in one day (1,870mm) and keep the record until now.

Back

Unseen or endemic to Madagascar

From top to bottom :
Two-banded Chameleon (雙帶變色龍) ; Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko (馬達加斯加葉尾守宮)
Military Macaw (軍艦金剛鸚鵡)
Lesser Chameleon (侏儒變色龍) ; Standing's Day Gecko (雲石巨人日光壁虎)
Malagasy / Madagascar (1993, 1999)
30th September, 2009. CAVP (Centre d'Approvisionnement en Valeurs Postales)
14th October, 2009. Antananarivo (Processing Centre)
2nd November, 2009. Hongkong

Although only the souvenir sheet related to bird theme, the macaw can't be found in Madagascar. Military Macaw is a large macaw in Latin and South America. Due to the vary inhabit areas, it widely to be found in topical rainforest, woodland or valley. Although the macaw was a popular pet in yesterday, nowadays as the change of inhabit area and illegal trading, it listed as vulnerable species in IUCN red list.

Oppositely, four stamps issued as WWF theme illustrate four chameleons and geckos individually are endemic to Madagascar. These four species are now as endanger species, unfortunately same as Military Macaw, they are facing illegal trading for pet market and the change of resident area.

The souvenir sheet and stamp set issued in different periods of Magagascar - former name Malagasy Republic and present name Republic of Madagascar are mixed on one cover. Madagascar is an island country located in the offshore of East Africa which is a fourth large island in the world, there can be found 5% species of the world and 80% of them are endemic to Madagascar.

Eastern White Pelican

Eastern White Pelican (白鵜鶘)
Ukraine (2007)
12th October, 2009. Kiev

Thank you Philipp of this mail from Kiev, actually this stamp set I waited for a long time and wanted to do it during stamp exhibition, however the Ukraine sale booth sold the stamps in HK$50, it was quite unreasonable as dealer only sells it in cheap price. The mail so pity that cancelled by machine postmark, it seems too heavy and two stamps couldn't been cancel.

Eastern White Pelican is one of large pelicans in the world, it breeds in south-east European countries and have short migration to southern Africa or south-west Asia for winter. This species is not endanger species but as more than 50% pelicans breed in the Danube Delta, where is an important breeding place of the pelicans in Romania and Ukraine. Especially only approximate 706km² of left bank of the Chilia area is situated in Ukraine, Eastern White Pelicans seem is a small settlement in this country.

Birds of the tropics (1)

500K : Cockatiel (雞尾鸚鵡) ; 600K : Amazonian Umbrellabird (亞馬遜傘鳥)
Zambia (2000)
23rd September, 2009. Ndola
24th September, 2009. Lusaka

Actually, many issues produced by IPGS are quite non-collectable, this largest world philatelic agency helps many countries to produce their stamps and it has right to control the country what themes to be issue. As a result, many themes are not related to issue countries or total quantity of stamps and sheets are not reasonably in each issue. In here there have been shown two examples the Gambia and Grenada, now showing third country Zambia. Above two stamps are come from Birds of the tropics issued on 2000, this issue includes 5 single stamps, 3 sheetlets and 2 souvenir sheets, total 31 individual stamps illustrate different birds over the world, but none of them to be found in Zambia ! I only collected those single stamps and will be shown them in two threads in here.

Cockatiel is endemic to Australia, which is one of popular pet in the world. Cockatiel is one of smallest parrot in Psittacidae (鸚鵡科), wild birds mostly live in wetlands and frutex jungles. Origin type is in grey coloured body, orange-yellowed crest with yellowish or white coloured face of male birds, and female birds in light greyed colour. Both sexes feature a round orange area on both ear areas called cheek patches. Crest will be risen up when it feels frighted or excitation.

Unfortunately, only Zambia issued cockatiel stamp and no other replacement. Australia had issued postal stationary illustrate cockatiel but not confirm when did it issue.

Males of Amazonian Umbrellabird is the largest bird of Cotingidae (傘鳥科) in South America, length measured up to estimate 50cm. There have two main communities of its inhabit area, one located in woodland forests and branches near Amazon Basin, another in the eastern Andes. Same as other umbrellabird it overlooks black with a conspicuous umbrella shaped crest, and an inflatable wattle on the neck, which serves to amplify their loud, booming calls.

Tawny Owls, feature Black Woodpecker and Great Tit

0,10 € : Tawny Owl (灰林鴞) ; 0,01 € : Black Woodpecker (黑啄木鳥)
0,15 € : Eurasian Nutcracker (星鴉) ; 0,27 € : Eurasian Woodcock (丘鷸)
Belgium (2009, 2008)
16th October, 2009. Ieper
16th October, 2009. Gent

Do you remember I had introduced Tawny Owl stamps issued by Vietnam and South Korea before ? So pity that these covers are not handsome as one was not a pretty stamp and one only for make-up rate stamp. Now turn to Europe side of Belgium and Estonia, these two countries issued Tawny Owl stamps in October respectively, just few days separated. Thank you Piro from Estonia and Thomas from Belgium who sent me these two wonderful covers.

First is Belgian one, artist Buzin who drawn this stamp series near 25 years, he illustrated an owl stay in a branch at day time - although Tawny Owl is active at night. The owl of this stamp be coloured as reddish-browned feather, this sub-species S. a. sylvatica mostly appears Western European countries include Great Britain.

Another one is an Estonian Tawny Owl first day cover, designer also illustrated an owl stay in a branch but the background looks near dawn. Please note that the owl is grey colour, most of Tawny Owls live in northern Europe are having this colour feather. This sub-species named as S. a. aluco, mostly lives in North and Central Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, these two covers affixed couple of bird stamps. The Belgian Black Woodpecker stamp just issued before half month of Tawny Owl stamp, this bird is one of large woodpecker of this family widely resident in Eurasian forest. Great Tit is a common songbird widely to be found in Europe and Asia.

The woodcock and nutcracker are introduced in here before, they also easily to be found in European forest or backyard.

R : Tawny Owl (灰林鴞) ; L : Great Tit (大山雀)
Estonia (2009, 2003)
8th October, 2009. Tallinn (with first day postmark)

Kakapo - it has been near extinct

Kakapo (鴞鸚鵡)
New Zealand (2005)
8th October, 2009. Te Anau, Fiorldland

Nowadays, near 110 kakapos are living in Chalky Island and Anchor Island, where are located in Fiordland National Park, the largest conservation area in New Zealand. Kakapo is one of original resident in New Zealand since pre-history, and it lost flying ability as there did not have main preys. Before the colonisation of there by Polynesian and European, kakapo is widely to be found in both north and south Islands, afterwards the population were largely decreasing to it become endanger species when the pets come with these colonial. In 1890, governor of New Zealand began to conserve this species, unfortunately this action was not successful, during the year of 1990 to 1995, only estimate 50 birds to be found in protection areas and they were facing danger by wild cats and other invasive species. Until 2005, all of kakapos moved to four special islands where all invasive species are cleaned, the population were increasing back to nowadays quantity.

Fiorldland National Park is in the south-west of the South Island, just near the largest lake in the island Lake Te Anau and the town Te Anau. Another famous endangered species Takahe (南秧雞) also to be found in this area.

Above cover affixed with whole set WWF Kakapo issue sent from Te Anau, features with New Zealand Demoiselle (紐西蘭鯛) and Kotukutuku (倒掛金鐘) stamps, which issued on 1979 and 1999.

** Remind you that this post, and all old posts related to WWF thematic, are also specially post on WWF special page. Please kindly visit there, thank you.

Miscellaneous from Taiwan

I known it is not a time have conclusion of this beautiful Taiwan domestic bird definitive stamp set. However I would like to show three miscellaneous items include below newest pre-paid envelope which related to this stamp set, when the files stored in my computer couple of time.

Island Thrush (白頭鶇)
Taiwan (2009)
23rd September, 2009. Taipei (Processing Centre)

Above pre-paid envelope issued as traditional Chinese style to suitable most of Taiwanese writing habit, locals mostly write letter and envelope in vertical style and never change their habit for a long time. Nowadays in Chinese circle, only Taiwanese still keep this habit and most of others are using horizontal or western style. Pre-paid stamp is Island Thrush originally issued on January of this year with the denomination NT$9, now changed to NT$25 for basic domestic registered mail rate.

Siberian Rubythroat (野鴝)
Taiwan (2008)
30th October, 2008. Taipei

Second one is a returned mail sent from Taipei to Hengchun, the insufficient address and receiver were quite popular in last year which come from local awarded film Cape No. 7 and its name of actress. Special seal on the left side of envelope illustrated a screen of the film postmarked by Pingtung post office.

Special thanks James of these two interested items.

Maxicard

Daurian Redstart (黃尾鴝)
Taiwan (2007)
3rd November, 2007. Taipei

The last one is a failed maxicard, there may not have any problem when take a first look. But it is incorrect due to the card illustrated Common Redstart (紅尾鴝) and the stamp is Daurian Redstart.

Rediscovered woodpecker

Caatinga Woodpecker (皮奧伊啄木鳥) ; Mottled Owl (雜斑林鴞)
Brazil (2008)
14th October, 2009. Botafogo, Río de Janeiro

After 80 years of its disappear, an example of Caatinga Woodpecker been rediscovered in Goiatins, the border between Tocantins and Maranhão on year 2006. Before this year, ornithologist though that it was extinct after 1926 and only one specimen collected by museum of Brazil but it stored in New York, it originally considered as a sub-species of Rufous-headed Woodpecker (棕頭啄木鳥) which also to be found in Brazil. On 2007, total recorded 23 individual examples live in Água Branca to Dianópolis.

Mottled Owl is a sized between 28 to 38 cm owl to be found in range from Mexico to Argentina, include Brazil. The owl is locally common of South American countries, mostly habits in dry forests and woodlands up to 7500 feet above sea level. Thanks Cristina of this pretty cover, the stamp set issued as Mercosul series, it is a regional trade agreement of South America with 5 member countries.

7th definitive stamps of South Africa (1)

R3 : Woodland Kingfisher (林地翠鳥) ; R20 : Violet-crested Turaco (紫冠蕉鵑)
5c : Palette Surgeonfish (黃尾副刺尾魚)
R1,30 (L) : Blue Marguerite (蘭雛菊) ; R1,30 (R) : Botterblom (美麗勳章菊)
South Africa (2000)
23th September, 2009. Pretoria
7th October, 2009. Hongkong

In millennium, South Africa released their seventh definitive stamps after its independence. Stamps illustrate South African flowers, butterflies, fishes and birds, and also moths of its extended issues on 2002. Only 5 high value stamps are bird thematic issue, above cover is two of them. Woodland Kingfisher is one of the most common species in Africa, mostly lives in south of Sahara. It looks similar with Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥) but smaller, and with reddish bill. Violet-crested Turaco widely to be found in eastern African countries include Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa, it is a national bird of Swaziland.

Other species appear on this cover also seem attractive. Botterblom is a popular colourful flower of backyard or garden, original planted in east and north parts of South Africa ; and widely to be found them in Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia. Blue Marguerite is a local wild flower, commonly planted in north and north-west of Africa. Palette Surgeonfish is a common surgeon live in the range of topical pan-Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, blue coloured body with sharp yellow tail likes a valuable jewelle. It became famous pet fish after it visible on the cartoon movie Nemo.

Seabirds of Maldives

From left to bottom :
Rf 8 : Audubon's Shearwater (奧杜邦氏鸌) ; Rf 3,50 : Cinnamon Bittern (栗小鷺)
Rf 2 : Black-headed Gull (紅嘴鷗) ; Rf 3 : Koel (噪鵑)
Maldives (1990, 2002, 2007)
30th September, 2009. Male (Processing Centre)

Thank you Clearecne selected four nice Maldives' bird stamps for me, they come from three different stamp sets issued on 1990 to 2007, four seabirds are very common to be find in Indian Ocean and they are not endangered species. Audubon's Shearwater to be found in topical islands over the world, range from West Indies, mid to east Pacific, Indian Ocean and St Helena. Cinnamon Bittern and Koel are very common to be found in southern Asia, Indian Ocean and shores of west Pacific Ocean, they breed in north and migrate to south for summer. Black-headed Gull lives in Eurasia , east from Great Britain to west of Japan, it also migrates to south like sub-Sahara, India, south-east Asia for winter.

Birds of Hongkong (2) - Overpaid and due

20c : Collared Scops Owl (領角鴞) ; $1,80 : Roseate Tern (粉紅燕鷗)
$3 : Red-whiskered Bulbul (紅耳鵯) ; $5 : Long-tailed Shrike (棕背伯勞)
$1,40 : Fork-tailed Sunbird (叉尾太陽鳥) ; 10c : White-bellied Sea Eagle (白腹海鵰)
$1 : Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥) ; $2 : Little Egret (小白鷺)
Hongkong (re-print 2009, 2006)
22nd January, 2009. Shatin Central

After couple of months, Hongkong Post released reprint definitive stamps on July. Same as before, all details are same except top-margin printed with EX prefix number. Above cover with whole set of re-print stamps bears prefix number was sent on the day of issue. In here I shall not repeat to write these species, however there is very interesting that the cover postmarked with sign Overpaid, customer informed, it is because the total value of the stamps has overpaid the basic domestic registered mail rate, and it discovered by counter.

Oppositely, if there is not enough postage stamps to be affixed, post office will charge the due tax to customer. For domestic mail, customer normally will be charged double how much does the domestic letter owe. Below one is an example of recorded delivery mail owed 40 cents of postage, it finally be changed double. 80 cents postage due labels are affixed, also cancelled with sign To pay and regular date-postmark by North Point post box office on May 17 of 2008, very specially it was last day service of this post office and no other replacement.

Red-whiskered Bulbul (紅耳鵯)
Hongkong (2006, postage due label : 2004)
14th May, 2008. International Mail Centre
17th May, 2008. North Point

Pro Juventute (2)

In August, I have been posted a cover of Switzerland which franked full of 1968 Pro Juventute stamps. As I said, Swiss Post issued Pro Juventute stamps featured domestic birds during 1968 to 1971, here is another one cover with such stamps. Thanks zasa again of this nice cover, although I delayed two months.

Same as before, stamps are designed in small format, perhaps this reason and the huge quantity of print, the stamps not valuable in market. But the birds appear on this cover are very popular and famous in Switzerland or European countries, most of European countries have been issued stamps related to these species.

After counted this cover, I still owe 6 bird stamps which Switzerland issued, either in mint, used or in other formats. Seem it is a good record.

From left to right :
Goldfinch (金翅雀) ; Eurasian Jay (松鴉)
Redstart (紅尾鴝) ; Bluethroat (藍喉歌鴝) ; Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Switzerland (1969, 1971)
14th July, 2009. Bern (Philatelic Bureau)

About bird covers : As near the end of the year, most of items are finished and only few covers are waiting for post. Situation of some covers now are waiting return back from remote countries and I guess them shall not come back very soon. Therefore it is time to slow down the update of this blog, but it is not end.

To have more attractive of the cover and avoid damage, I suggest use C6 or B6 size envelope to arrange the cover, of course it is not must. If there do not have enough space or the stamps not related to birds, it is better to frank them on back side if post office allowed.

Joint issue - Portugal and Iran

0,32 € : Western Osprey (魚鷹) ; 0,80 € : White-tailed Eagle (白尾鷲)
Portugal (2009)
21st September, 2009. Lisbon (with first day postmark)

It is a quite interesting joint issue, originally the stamps to be issued on 24 June of individual country and all kind of thing are ready before day of issue. However only issue of Iran was come out on this day, Portugal one was suspended suddenly and to be delayed on 21 September as unexpected reason.

Here is the posted first day cover of Portugal sent by philatelic bureau in Lisbon, unfortunately I still haven't collect Iran's cover when this thread posted. Stamps are illustrated two common prey of birds of these two countries, these two bird shown here before respective in Sweden and Uzbekistan issues. So pity that stamps designed in se-tangent style but printed independently of Portugal issue.

It is third and the last bird issue of Portugal and its archipelagos in this year., other issues are Bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and Lakes of Azores.

Biodiversity : Foundation of the Prince Albert II of Monaco

Lammergeier (鬍兀鷲) and Bonelli's Eagle (白腹山鵰)
Monaco (2008)
8th September, 2009. Monte-Carlo

To help public and private organisations develop initiatives in the fields of research and studies in area of climate change, water and biodiversity, Prince Albert II of Monaco set up a new foundation on 2008 which supports the implementation of innovative solutions. The members of the board of directors come from different countries and Prince Albert II is one of the member.

Monaco Post Office issued a stamp to commemorate this event, the stamp illustrates two prey of birds Lammergeier and Bonelli's Eagle. Lammergeier widely lives in the area of The Himalayas, Middle East and Corsica, also to be found in Kenya and South Africa. It normally diets bird eggs, wild rabbits or dead animals. It has a habit throw bones or turtle to stone for eat the preys easier.

Thanks David sent the cover from Monaco, the stamps cancelled by computer slogan postmark to promote the stamp exhibition held in Monte-Carlo on 4-6 of December.

Domestic fowl of Cyprus

L : Rock Pigeon (原鴿) ; R : Red Junglefowl (茶花雞)
Cyprus (2009)
13th September, 2009. Nicosia
22nd September, 2009. Hongkong

After 18 years, Cyprus releases its new bird issue, it features four domestic fowls. Same as other similar issues, no surprising of the stamps illustrate dove, hen, geese and turkey again, but luckily stamps are different than Belarus and Faroe Islands issues. Above cover sent by Nosia affixed two separately stamps Rock Pigeon and Red Junglefowl, they are come from this Cyprus issue which have been appeared on Algeria and Timor-Leste covers before. Red Junglefowl originally lives in south-east Asia and southern Asian countries, they are widely live in forest not fed by human. The bird be imported to Europe for food since colonial era.

Common Snipe

Common Snipe (田鷸)
Algeria (2005)
10th August, 2009. Setif
2nd September, 2009. Hongkong

Thanks Ouari again in here as he sometimes sent me first day covers and other interesting items from Algeria, however I feel sinning as I haven't sent him beautiful covers, and some of them may be damaged during postal processing. Above cover with detailed illustrations of Common Snipe, was printed by Ouari himself.

Common Snipe commonly actives in north part of the earth, some of them are resident birds but they may migrate to south in winter. Normally habits alone or in a small group appear on the fields and wetlands, it owns excellent protected colours which mainly in brown and black, with some yellow or white spots. It is not easy to be observed when they stay in the fields or yellowed grasslands.

Endangered birds of India

From left to right :
Lesser Florican (鳳頭鴇) ; Manipur Bush Quail (阿薩姆林鶉)
Black-chinned Laughingthrush (黃胸噪鶥) ; Greater Adjutant (大鵚鶖)
India (2006)
8th September, 2009. Srinivasapuram

Although it is not first mail from India, it is the first completed cover with Indian bird stamps in my collection. Above stamp set with oddly coloured background released on 2006 and it also the latest bird issue, features four endemic or near-endemic species of India and now they listed as endangered situation, thanks Veeraraghavan of this excellent cover.

Lesser Florican widely lives in southern Asian countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and south-west China. Different than other birds, males of Lesser Florican is smaller than female birds. Manipur Bush Quail is endemic to north-east area of India and Nepal, mostly to be found in Himalayan area, likely appears on dawn and sunset times. Black-chinned Laughingthrush is endemic to the forest of southern India Peninsular, appears on the branch over 3m high in morning and late afternoon. Greater Adjutant is a large wading water bird diets frogs and insects, sometimes it catches small birds. Population breeds in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka to Borneo ; and migrates to southern countries like Thailand and Burma in winter. The bird also to be found in China before, but as over and illegal hunting, the bird has been extinguished to the country.

Raptors and snakes in sub-Saharan area

Front

See below picture for description

From left to bottom :
Crowned Eagle (冠鷹雕) ; Long-crested Eagle (長冠鷹)
African Rock Python (非洲岩蟒) ; Gaboon Viper (加蓬噝蝰)
Mali (1996)

In sub-Saharan area, there have many dangerous animals or raptors. As the poor environment of desert area, those species need powerful weapon or behaviour to find enough food, above sheet issued by Mali shown four of species to be found in this area commonly. Crowned Eagle is a huge and powerful raptor, mostly lives in south of Saharan countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. It diets monkeys or other middle-sized mammals. Like Crowned Eagle, Long-crested Eagle also inhabits in this district, and the diet nearly same. Gaboon Viper is a large herbivore snake and also the world's heaviest viperid, widely lives in sub-Sahara and tropical rain forest of Africa. It length 120cm to 150cm, and some of them near 2m long, diets plants mainly but sometimes catches small birds and animals. African Rock Python is a non-venomous python species in sub-Saharan area, it has maximum 6m long and it is one of the longest snake in the world. However it is not much danger to human and only had few accident records about the attack.

The stamp sheet be illustrated by colourful background shown the landscape of sub-Saharan in Mail. The rock seems a Mount Hombri inside Mopti region of southern Mali, there is the highest point of this country.

Some stamps on the back side are for the make-up rate of the mail, so pity that they overlapped by French registration label, two of these stamps are issued on 2009.

Back
7th September, 2009. Bamako Darsalam
via France
18th September, 2009. Hongkong