Jack Snipe & Hoopoe

0,50 € : Jack Snipe (小鷸) ; Eurasian Hoopoe (戴勝)
Latvia (2014)
30th May, 2014. Riga

The Bird of the Year is one of the annual symbols of Latvian nature, which has been designated by the Latvian Ornithological Society since 1996 in order to draw more public attention to a particular bird species, obtain more information for research thereof or ensure special measures for its protection. Eurasian Hoopoe, which has been given the title of the bird 2014, is a colorful bird in the family Upupidae in the order Coraciiformes, which can rarely be found in Latvia and which has the largest concentration in vicinity of Riga: from Jūrmala to Zvejniekciems. Its European populations have decreased substantially since the late 19th century, and the bird can no longer be encountered in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and large parts of Germany.

The Jack Snipe is one of the 30 bird species in the genus Lymnocryptes found in Latvia. The birds from this genus are encountered almost all over the world, except Antarctica. In Latvia, it can be seen during migration in the spring and autumn. It is not usually observed in the summer period, and it overwinters in small groups in the western and central part of the country. The jack snipe can be very secretive and difficult to observe.

Birds of Slovenia, a new definitive stamp series

From left to right :
A : Crag Martin (岩燕) ; B : Common Merganser (川秋沙)
C : Lesser Kestrel (黃爪隼) ; D : Ural Owl (長尾林鴞) ; 0,36 € : Eurasian Bittern (大麻鳽)
Slovenia (2014)
31st May, 2014. Službeno, Maribor

Slovenia starts their new definitive series after the Wild Flowers, which issued on 2007. The first five are A to D, and 0,36 Euros for basic rates, and perhaps more to be come. Crag Martin is 14–15 cm long and thus a fairly large representative of the swallow family. It is a rare nesting bird in Slovenia, limited to the western and northeastern part of the country. It belongs to the summer species, but it is the only swallow that can also be seen in winter in certain warmer or southern parts of Slovenia. Common Merganser, being 57–69 cm long, the common merganser is the largest of the three merganser species in the duck family that can be found in Slovenia. Lesser Kestrel is 29–32 cm long and so slightly smaller than the common kestrel, commonly found in Slovenia. Unfortunately, it has become extinct as a nesting bird in the country and can only be seen when flying through. Ural Owl is one of the largest representatives of the family of typical owls in Slovenia, and stays here throughout the year. Eurasian Bittern stay in Slovenia the whole year round. They build their nests on the ground, using reeds and twigs. They lay three to four eggs, and raise one to two broods a year.

Falcons

From left to right :
Saker Falcon (獵鷹) ; Lanner Falcon (地中海隼)
Gyrfalcon (矛隼) ; Peregrine Falcon (擬游隼)
Iraq (2013)
4th May, 2014. Mosul

A falcon is any one of 37 species of raptor in the genus Falco, widely distributed on all continents of the world.

Adult falcons have thin tapered wings, which enable them to fly at high speed and to change direction rapidly. Fledgling falcons, in their first year of flying, have longer flight feathers, which makes their configuration more like that of a general-purpose bird such as a broadwing. This makes it easier to fly while learning the exceptional skills required to be effective hunters as adults.

Peregrine Falcons have been recorded diving at speeds of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), making them the fastest-moving creatures on Earth. Other falcons include the Gyrfalcon, Lanner Falcon, and the Merlin. Some small falcons with long narrow wings are called hobbies, and some which hover while hunting are called kestrels. The falcons are part of the family Falconidae, which also includes the caracaras, Laughing Falcon, forest falcons, and falconets.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit (藍山雀)
Andorra (2014)
22nd May, 2014. La Vella

Blue Titis a small passerine bird easily recognisable by its blue and yellow plumage, but various authorities dispute their scientific classification. It usually resident and non-migratory birds, are widespread and a common resident breeder throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and western Asia in deciduous or mixed woodlands with a high proportion of oak. They usually nest in tree holes, although they easily adapt to nest boxes where necessary. Their main rival for nests and in the search for food is the larger great tit.

The Blue Tit prefers insects and spiders for its diet. Outside the breeding season, they also eat seeds and other vegetable-based foods. The birds are famed for their skill, as they can cling to the outermost branches and hang upside down when looking for food.

Blue Tit (藍山雀)
Andorra (2014)
2nd May, 2014. La Vella