The House Martin as Belarus Bird 2004.

On March 31, 2004 Belarus Post issued the stamp from the series “A bird of the year” dedicated to the House Martin. The stamp is issued under the aegis of the International organization of birds protection “BirdLife International” and Belarus organization “Ahova ptushak Belarusi” (APB “Protection of Belarus Birds”).

The Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes called the Northern House Martin or, particularly in Europe, just House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia.

It feeds on insects which are caught in flight, and it migrates to climates where flying insects are plentiful. It has a blue head and upperparts, white rump and pure white underparts, and is found in both open country and near human habitation.

The preferred habitat of the Common House Martin is open country with low vegetation, such as pasture, meadows and farmland, and preferably near water, although it is also found in mountains up to at least 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) altitude.

The Common House Martin is a migrant which moves on a broad-front.While migrating they feed in the air on insects and they generally travel in daylight, although some birds may move at night.The Common House Martin is a noisy species, especially at its breeding colonies. The male's song, given throughout the year, is a soft twitter of melodious chirps. The contact call, also given on the wintering grounds, is a hard chirrrp, and the alarm is a shrill tseep.

It is hunted by the Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), and like other birds is affected by internal parasites and external fleas and mites, but its large range and population mean that it is not threatened globally.

The issuance of stamp is sheetlet comprised of seven stamps with one picture of the House Martin or Delichon Urbica.Each stamps have logo of the Birdlife International  and logo of the Protection of Belarus Bird.

Special cancellation: a special cancellation on FDCs has been carried out at the Main Post Office of Minsk on the stamp issuing day.Special postmark and FDC designed by A. Mityani.