⭕️Fiji

From left to right :
Metallic Pigeon (白喉林鴿) ; Rock Pigeon (野鴿)
Fiji (2001)

⭕️Aerogramme of Giibraltar

From left to right :
Mediterranean Shag (地中海鸕鶿) ; Eurasian Hoopoe (戴勝)
Gibraltar (1992, 2008)
25th August, 2016. Gibraltar

Gibraltar has long been known as a key location for observing birds so we thought what better subject for the 2008 Definitive. The ‘Birds of the Rock’ Definitive focuses on some of the beautiful birds that grace Gibraltar’s skies.

Hoopoe breeds throughout the Mediterranean and is known to many locals as ‘Gallito de Marzo’. They are particularly noticeable around the Alameda Gardens in March during its main migration period every spring.

Mediterranean Shag is a small breeding colony of 5-8 pairs of this threatened seabird breeds in sea caves along the east side of Rock. The Gibraltar colony is possibly the only one left on mainland Iberia.

⭕️Aerogramme of Vanuatu

From left to right :
Pacific Imperial-pigeon (太平洋皇鳩) ; Purple Swamphen (紫水雞)
Streaked Fantail (點胸扇尾鶲)
Vanuatu (2012)
21st September, 2016. Port Vila

The Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres has a fascinating migration story compared to the Vanuatu Petrel Pterodroma occulta which breeds on Vanua Lava while the Vanuatu Scrubfowl Megapodius layardi (Namalao), found on Ambryn Island, predominantly incubates its eggs in geothermally-heated soil. Nambiru or the Purple Swamphen Porphyrio Porphyrio has a very loud explosive call described as a "raucous high-pitched screech”. The Dark-brown Honeyeater Lichmera incana is also loud and noisy in contrast to the endemic Southern Shrikebill Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides which is a beautiful songbird. Long-tailed Triller Lalage leucopyga simillima is endemic to Vanuatu and not threatened.

The Streaked Fantail Rhipidura spilodera is also endemic on all except the smallest islands from Vanua Lava to Efate. These can be compared to the Red-bellied Fruit Dove Ptilinopus greyii, which is considered to be capable of flying between islands. Of the others, the Pacific Imperial Pigeon Ducula pacifica (locally known as Nawemba) dines on fruiting native trees; the Silvereye Zosterops lateralis has a distinctive olive coloured head and white eye-ring and the Striated Mangrove Heron Butorides solomonensis reaches only 45cm in height but has interesting behavioural traits.

⭕️ Thailand - North Korea diplomatic relations 40 years

 

Northern Goshawk  (蒼鷹) ; Siamese Fireback (戴氏鷴)
North Korea (2015)

30th May, 2016. Pyongyang

 

Northern Goshawk  (蒼鷹) ; Siamese Fireback (戴氏鷴)
Thailand (2015)  

28th August, 2015. Bangkok

Siamese fireback also known as Diard's fireback is a fairly large, approximately 80 cm long, pheasant. The male has a grey plumage with an extensive red facial skin, crimson legs and feet, ornamental black crest feathers, reddish brown iris and long curved blackish tail. The female is a brown bird with blackish wing and tail feathers.

The Siamese fireback is distributed to the lowland and evergreen forests of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam in Southeast Asia. This species is also designated as the national bird of Thailand. The female usually lays between four to eight rosy eggs.

The scientific name commemorates the French naturalist Pierre-Médard Diard.

Northern Goshawk is a medium-large raptor in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. As a species in the Accipiter genus, the goshawk is often considered a true "hawk". The scientific name is Latin; Accipiter is "hawk", from accipere, "to grasp", and gentilis is "noble" or "gentle" because in the Middle Ages only the nobility were permitted to fly goshawks for falconry.

It is a widespread species that inhabits the temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the only species in the Accipiter genus found in both Eurasia and North America. With the exception of Asia, it is the only species of "goshawk" in its range and it is thus often referred to, both officially and unofficially, as simply the "goshawk". It is mainly resident, but birds from colder regions migrate south for the winter. In North America, migratory goshawks are often seen migrating south along mountain ridge tops in September and October.

This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name.

⭕️Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher

Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher (馬達加斯加綬帶鳥)
Madagascar (2014)

26th April, 2016. Antananarivo

The Malagasy paradise flycatcher is a medium-sized passerine, measuring 18cm in length and weighing between 12.1 and 12.3g. Males have long tail plumes, which can add as much as 18 cm to their overall length. The female is largely rufous-orange, with a black head and nape. The flight feathers on her wings are black with rufous edges, and she has a thin, light blue eyelid wattle.

This species is a regional endemic found on Madagascar, Mayotte and the Comoros islands. It is common in all native forest types except montane forest, at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,600 m. It also occurs, though less frequently, in other wooded habitats, including plantations, gardens and secondary forest.

Pre-paid postcard of South Korea

Bullfinch (紅腹灰雀)
Stamps : Yellow-billed Grosbeak (黑尾蠟嘴雀) ; Red-crowned Crane (丹頂鶴)
South Korea (2011)
28th November, 2014. Gwanghwamun

The bullfinch is a bulky bull-headed bird. The upper parts are grey; the flight feathers and short thick bill are black; as are the cap and face in adults (they are greyish-brown in juveniles), and the white rump and wing bars are striking in flight. The adult male has red underparts, but females and young birds have grey-buff underparts. The song of this unobtrusive bird contains fluted whistles.

This bird breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. It is mainly resident, but many northern birds migrate further south in the winter. Mixed woodland with some conifers is favoured for breeding, including parkland and gardens.

This species does not form large flocks outside the breeding season, and is usually seen as a pair or family group.

⭕️White-backed Night-heron

Front : White-backed Night-heron (白背夜鷺)
Back : Lesser Flamingo (小紅鸛)
Kenya (1984)
13th October, 2014. Nairobi

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Front : Superb Starling (栗頭麗椋鳥) ; White-backed Night-heron (白背夜鷺)
Kenya (2014, 1984)
11th November, 2014. Nairobi

⭕️Bank Swallow

Bank Swallow (灰沙燕)
USA (2013)
Mountain Bluebird (山藍鳥) ; Evening Grosbeak (黃昏錫嘴雀)
USA (2014)
5th April, 2014. Audubon

Bank Swallow is the smallest swallow in North America and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. About five inches long, the slender bird digs nesting burrows in riverbanks, gravel pits and even highway cuts. Both males and females help dig the tunnel, first pecking out a shallow hole with their beaks, then using their feet to kick out the dirt.

Like all swallows, Bank Swallows are agile songbirds that specialize in catching insects in midair. A typical Bank Swallow colony can have anywhere from ten to nearly 2,000 nests. A sandbank riddled with holes, especially one near a river or lake, is likely to be the home of a colony of Bank Swallows.

Mantaritsa nature reserve

Eurasian Capercaillie (松雞)
Bulgaria (2013)
23th May, 2013. Sofia

Once again, Bulgaria issued a nice pre-paid envelope which the imprinted stamp as well as their newest souvenir sheet. The sheet is commemorated Mantaritsa nature reserve, the nature reserve is located at the territory of municipality of Rakitovo, not far away of Batak dam and Tsigov Chark resort. There are kept most magnificent coniferous forests in Bulgaria. The vegetation is impassable for the most part, and resembles a jungle. The most common trees in the reserve of Mantaritsa are spruces, fir and pine, which are about 130-150 years old.

The illustration shown the pine forest and Capercaillie respectively.

Purple Martin pre-paid envelope

Purple Martin (紫崖燕) ; stamp : Tufted Puffin (花魁鳥)
USA (2012, stamp: 2013)
11th April, 2013. Seattle

In each year, USPS issues a pre-paid envelope (a.k.a. stamped envelope) for their clients, who wish to print their address or company name on the envelope, from 2012 is bird series, the first one is Purple Martin which illustrated by Matthew Frey. Purple Martin is the largest swallow in North America, it is to be ordinary found in whole United States and northern part of Mexico. However the birds which live in northern part will be migrated to Amazon basin area.

⭕️Goldie's Bird-of-paradise

Goldie's Bird-of-paradise (戈氏天堂鳥)
Papua New Guinea (2005)
20th March, 2012. Port Moresby

From some documentary films, sometimes can seen a colourful birds with long tail and having special lek-type, they so called Bird-of-paradise. The bird-of-paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae majorly to be found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and easternmost of Australia. The national bird of Papua New Guinea is Raggiana Bird-of-paradise (新畿內亞極樂鳥).

Above aerogramme illustrated Goldie's Bird-of-paradise is endemic to Papua New Guinea. But now it listed as Near Threatened species on IUCN list, as due to habitat loss, limited range and overhunting.

⭕️Aerogramme of St Lucia

St. Lucia Parrot (聖盧西亞亞馬遜鸚鵡)
St Lucia (2004, aerogramme 1992)
2nd June, 2011. Castries

After years, I received another mail from this small islands country again. This time is an aerogramme features panorama of the Port of Castries, but the picture probably taken in 80's year of last century. The most interesting and attractive thing to me is, the imprinted stamp is St Lucia Parrot and Mount Gimie. The national bird of St Lucia and the highest mountain of this country. For make-up postage (perhaps do not need), two coil stamps affixed on the aerogramme, they interestingly feature the national symbols again !

St Lucia Parrot is an endemic parrot to St Lucia, sadly the population of the parrot was decreased from 1000 in 1950s to 150 in 1970s. Later on the governor took an action to conserve this national bird and now the population turned back to more than 350 parrots.

Escola Básica Integrada de Arrifes

Braga festival masks (布拉加節日面具)

Portugal (2005)

31st May, 2011. Arrifes, Ponta Delgada

On late May, a commemorative postmark to mark the event of celebrate of 25th anniversary of EBI in Arrifes, a civil parish in Ponta Delgada, Azores. The illustration of the postmark chose Azores Buzzard (亞速爾鵟) as it is only one resident bird of prey in Azores, which is endemic subspecies of Common Buzzard (鵟). However as the illustration was too graphical, it hardly to identify and dislike buzzard, except from the Portuguese description 'O Milhapre'.

More Azores Buzzard can be found in the site Pictures and voices of European and Finnish Birds.

Herring Gull or Yellow-legged Gull (2)

Thin-Lipped Grey Mullet (薄唇鯔)
Portugal (2011)
7th December, 2011. Póvoa do Varzim

In the end of the last year, Póvoa do Varzim held a philatelic exhibition and of course having variety postmarks use on each days. Póvoa do Varzim near the coastline of Atlantic Ocean, there is suitable for fishing and related industries, the city attracts thousands of seabird whole years. So one of 5 postmarks features Yellow-legged Gull (黄腿鷗), it is one common bird to be found on the beach, piers and fish markets. Although postmark shown Larus argentatus, is the scientific name of Herring Gull. Now two species are individual and southern one as Larus michahellis.

It is hard to identify Yellow-legged Gull and Herring Gull, but their inhabit places are different, Yellow-legged Gull near coastline of southern Europe while Herring Gull is the north. The important differences are the back of Herring Gull is darker and the legs of Yellow-legged Gull is in yellow colour. The Åland's aerogramme shown the Herring Gull.

Herring Gull (銀鷗)
Åland (1996)
16th February, 2012. Sviby, Mariehamn

The stamp on the cover issued on 2011, comes from the Migratory Fishes set. This beautiful issue features 6 common migratory fishes to be found on the coast of Portugal or nearby Atlantic Ocean. Below attractive cover is an example of this stamp set.

From left to right :
0,32 € : European River Lamprey (七鳃鳗) ; 0,47 € : Allis Shad (西鯡)
0,68 € : European Flounder (川鰈) ; 0,80 € : Thin-Lipped Grey Mullet (薄唇鯔)
Portugal (2011)
1st April, 2011. Cuba

Voyageurs National Park

Great Northern Diver - Voyageurs National Park (普通潛鳥, 探險家國家公園)
United States (1999)
1st April, 2011. Ranier, Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park is a woodland area located in the border of United States and Canada, it was established in 1975 to commemorate the voyageurs from Europe. It has 461km² wilderness area be protected.

Above old aerogramme is one of the very last aerogrammes issued by USPS and after that the product line did not continuous. For decorated photos are related to the wild animal and sights of national park. Imprinted stamp is Great Northern Diver which is a very common loon in northern United States and Canada, and also it is a state bird of Minnesota. The bird breeding in the state and nearby areas, then migrate to south for winter.

Another sights in the aerogramme are aurora and Lake Kabetogama.

40th anniversary of the convention on wetlands

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.

White-backed Woodpecker

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.

⭕️Massena's Lorikeet

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

Aerogrammes of Great Britain

From left to right :
British Coastal Birds
Atlantic Puffin (北極海鸚) ; 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.

Europa 2011 : Forest

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