South Georgia & The South Sandwich Islands. Save Albatross– 2006

South Georgia & The South Sandwich Islands has issued the birdlife stamp series concerning the theme of  ” Save Albatross ” on year 2006. The issuance presented in one souvenir sheet comprised of two stamp Black-Browed Albatross and White-Chinned Petrel, one set of 4 stamps featured Black-Browed Albatross. White-Chinned Petrel, Southern Giant Petrel, Wandering Albatross.

Black Browed Albatross

The Black-browed Albatross is a medium-sized albatross, at 80–95 cm long with a 200–240 cm  wingspan and an average weight of 2.9–4.7 kg . They can have a natural lifespan of over 70 years. It has a bright pink saddle and upper-wings that contrast with the orange, rump, and under-parts.

The under-wing is predominantly white with broad, irregular, black margins. It has a dark eyebrow and a yellow-orange bill with a darker reddish-orange tip.

The Black-browed Albatross is circumpolar in the southern oceans, and it breeds on 12 islands throughout the southern oceans. In the Atlantic Ocean, it breeds on the Falklands, Islas Diego Ramírez, and South Georgia.The Black-browed Albatross feeds on fish, squid, crustaceans, carrion, and fishery discards.

Owls of Belarus. Series of year 2007 .

 

On November 23, 2007 Belarus Post  issued a set of 4 stamps “Owls of Belarus”. The series will continue on the following year 2008 with another species.The stamps featured the Nothern Hawk-owl (surnia sula), Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus), and Eurasian Pygmy Owl  (Glaucidium passerinum) and have  printed the logo of Bird Life International.

 

Northern Hawk-Owl ( Surnia ulula)

The Northern Hawk Owl is a non-migratory bird that stays within its breeding range.This bird lays 3-7 white eggs in large tree cavities or nests abandoned by other large birds.It will also nest on cliffsides . It is found in the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia, usually on the edges of more open woodland.

The Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) is a medium sized owl. The term "hawk" refers to its falcon-like wing shape and long tail. This bird is 35-43 cm long with a 69-82 cm wingspan. It has a rounded head with yellow eyes, dark brown upperparts and barred underparts and tail.It is the only living species in the genus Surnia.

 
This is a partially nocturnal owl, which hunts voles and birds like thrushes. It waits on a perch and takes advantage of its rapid flight to overtake prey. The Hawk Owl has exceptional hearing and can plunge into snow to capture rodents below the surface.

Owls–Another Birds of Belarus 2008.

On December22,2008 the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus will issue the set of 4 stamps “Birds of Belarus. Owls”prepared by the Publishing Centre “Marka” of the EUR “Belpochta”. The stamps are printed the logo of BLI, Bird Life International.

Eurasian eagle owl

The Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is a species of eagle owl resident in much of Europe and Asia. It is also one of the largest types of owls.The Eurasian Eagle-owl is a large and powerful bird which has a wingspan of 138–200 cm and measures 58–73 cm long.

It mainly feeds on small mammals, but can kill prey up to the size of foxes and young deer.The call of the Eagle Owl is a deep resonant “ooh-hu” with emphasis on the first syllable for the male, and a more high-pitched uh-Hu for the female.

The size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a distinctive species. It has a strong direct flight. The ear tufts of males are more upright than those of females.The horned owls are a part of the larger grouping of owls known as the typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl.

The Eurasian Eagle-owl is largely nocturnal and is found in mountains and forests with cliffs and rocky areas, usually nesting on cliff ledges. They live for around 20 years although like many other bird species in captivity they can live much longer, perhaps up to 60 years.