Birdlife International Stamp’s Belarus 2013

 

The Hoopoe  (Upupa epops) is highly distinctive, with a long, thin tapering bill that is black with a fawn base.The Hoopoe is a medium sized bird, a colorful bird, 25–32 cm  long, with a 44–48 cm  wingspan weighing 46–89 g. This species  is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers. It is the only extant species in the family Upupidae.

On March 12, 2013 the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus  issued the stamp “Hoopoe” from the series “Bird of the year”. The public organization “Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny” (Protection of Homeland Birds) declared the hoopoe the bird of the year 2013 in Belarus. Alongside of the stamp issuance, First Day Cover  and Maximum Card have issued on the same date.

 

There are logos of the International organization for the protection of birds "BirdLife International" and the Belarus public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (APB) on the stamp.

Bird Life Festival 2004, Solomon Part 2

Following the previous issue in this blog,  World Bird festival 2004 (Kingfisher) – Solomon Islands Part II  , detail of the depicted bird species on each stamps comprises of the Beach Kingfisher (Todiramphus saurophaga), the Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris),  the Ultramarine Kingfisher (Todiramphus leucopygius), the Moustached Kingfisher (Actenoides bougainvillei), the Little Kingfisher (Alcedo pusilla), and the Variable Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx lepidus), described in the next paragraphs.

The Beach Kingfisher (Todiramphus saurophaga) is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family and found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

The population trend appears to be stable and for these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Bird Life Festival 2004 , Solomon Part 1

Following the previous issue : World Bird Festival 2004 (Purple Swamphen etc) – Solomon Islands Part I, in this blog, detail of each stamps which depicting species  of The Rufous-tailed Waterhen (Amaurornis moluccana), The Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus phillapensis), The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), Woodford's Rail (Nesoclopeus woodfordi), The Roviana Rail (Gallirallus rovianae), The Makira Woodhen (Gallinula silvestris) described in the next paragraph.

 

 

The Rufous-tailed Waterhen (Amaurornis moluccana), is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.

The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly, therefore the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

 

It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Solomon Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

 

Black swift – Belarus’s Bird of the Year 2012

On March 22, 2012 the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus issued the stamp set features Black swift from the regularly series “Bird of the year”. This issued stamp  has marked logo of Birdlife International.

The Black Swift or The Common Swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, larger than   Barn Swallow or House Martin but this species completely unrelated to those passerine species. The Black Swift nearest relatives are thought to be the New World hummingbirds and the Southeast Asian treeswifts.

Black Swifts are 16–17 cm long with a wingspan of 38–40 cm and entirely blackish-brown except for a small white or pale grey patch on their chins which is not visible from a distance. They have a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang.These birds have very short legs which they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces . They never settle voluntarily on the ground, where they would be vulnerable to accidents and predation. Black swifts are migratory.

Birdlife of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 3)-Parrots (Continuation)

 

To continue  the previous edition in the title “Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 3)- Parrots”, detail of the depicted parrot species such as: Finsch’s pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), Cardinal Lory (Chalcopsitta cardinalis), Solomons Cockatoo (Cacatua ducorpsii),  Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), Rainbow Lorikeet, (Trichoglossus haematodus), Song Parrot (Geoffroyus heteroclitus) have described in the following paragraphs.

 

Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta finschii)

Finsch’s pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), also known as the green or emerald pygmy parrot, is characterized by a green head and neck (which is unique among species of the genus Micropsitta). The typical length of a green pygmy parrot is 9.5 cm with an average weight of 12 g . Male and female individuals can be identified by slight differences in coloration

Finsch’s pygmy parrots are found in tropical rainforests up to an elevation of 900 m.The geographic range of this species includes Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago.

Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part II)–Pigeon (Continuation)

To continue the previous edition in the title “ Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 2)- Pigeon” , detail of each stamps  which  depicted the endemic pigeon species such as :  Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon (Ducula rubricera),  Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus solomonensis) ,  Claret-breasted Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus viridis),  Nicobar Pigeon    (Caloenas nicobarica),  Stephan's Emerald Dove    (Chalcophaps stephani) and  Crested Cuckoo-Dove   (Reinwardtoena crassirostris) described as follow :

 

Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon  (Ducula rubricera)

Ducula rubricera is widely distributed in Papua New Guinea and on nearly all forested islands in the Solomon Islands. Although it is still common where extensive forest remains, it is much rarer in degraded habitats.

It is a large robust pigeon ( 40 cm) with pale upper back, head, neck, throat and breast. Distinctive large reddish (occasionally yellowish) cere above bill. Wing-coverts iridescent emerald, bronzy or golden green with darker secondary and tail feathers tainted bluish.Primaries blackish-blue and  the color of under-wing is dull grey. The Legs are purplish-red.Juvenile resembles adult but lacking red cere.

Breeding birds of Christmas Island

In referring to   the previous title “ Breeding Birds of Christmas Island- Kiribati 2005”, the subsequent paragraphs have described the breeding bird species as shown on the issued stamp.

Lesser Frigatebird – Fregata ariel

The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) is common in tropical seas breeding on remote islands, including Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean in recent years. The male is mostly all black save for a white patch on the flank which extends on to the underwing as a spur. Males also have a pale bar on the upper wing. Females have a black head and neck with a white collar and breast as well as a spur extending on to the underwing. The female also has a narrow red ring around the eye.

Red-tailed Tropicbird /Phaethon rubricauda

The Red-tailed Tropicbird or Phaethon rubricauda looks like a stout tern, and hence closely resembles the other two tropicbird species. It has generally white plumage, often with a pink tinge, a black crescent around the eye and a thin red tail feather. It has a bright red bill and black feet.The Red-tailed Tropicbird is a seabird that nests across the Indian and Pacific Oceans

Sea birds of Kiribati

In refer to the previous title : Sea birds of Kiribati-Kiribati 2005, detail of each issued stamp in related with the above title  has described  in the subsequent paragraphs.The first miniature sheet of the issued  stamps by Kiribati Post which collaborated with Birdlife International on  August 15, 2005 featured  sea birds of Kiribati such as: White-tailed tropicbird (Phaeton lepturus), Black Noddy ( Anous minutus), Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), White Tern (Gygis alba), and Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor)

White-tailed Tropicbird ( Phaethon lepturus)

The White-tailed Tropicbird breeds on tropical islands laying a single egg directly onto the ground or a cliff ledge. White-tailed Tropicbird disperses widely across the oceans when not breeding, and sometimes wanders far. White-tailed Tropicbird feeds on fish and squid, caught by surface plunging, but this species is a poor swimmer.Sexes are similar, although males average longer tailed, but juveniles lack the tail streamers, have a green-yellow bill, and a finely barred back.

Black Noddy (Anous minutus)

The Black Noddy has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical seas, with colonies widespread in the Pacific Ocean and more scattered across the Caribbean, central Atlantic and in the northeast Indian Ocean.The Black Noddy (Anous minutus) is a seabird from the tern family.

Birdlife of British Indian Ocean Territory - 2006

In year 2006 , BIOT (British Indian Ocean Territory) Post collaborated with Birdlife International  Organization have released the stamp set features the protected seabirds Great frigatebird, Black-naped tern, Brown Noddy, Yellow-billed tropicbird, Red-footed Booby   and White Tern . The issue stamps are present in one miniature sheet which consist of six postage stamps depicted the foresaid species.The sheet have marked with many logos of bird association, OTEP, RSPB, Birdlife International.

Great Frigatebird or Fregata minor

The Great Frigatebird is a large dispersive seabird in the frigatebird family, have distinctive a measure  of 85–105 cm  with long pointed wings of 205–230 cm  and long forked tails. Major nesting populations are found in the Pacific (including Galapagos Islands) and Indian Oceans, as well as a population in the South Atlantic.

The Great Frigatebird is a lightly built large seabird with predominantly black plumage. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The female is larger than the adult male and has a white throat and breast, and the male's scapular feathers have a purple-green sheen. This species  have a long life span around 35 years, exhibit deferred maturity, lay only 1 egg, and have a very slow-growing chick.

Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)

In  year 2007, British Indian Ocean Territory Post issued the birdlife stamp composed of 6 (six) single postage stamps that features the Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus). The issue stamps have logo of Birdlife International.

The Pomarine Skua is a large seabird, nearly as big as a herring gull. It has long spoon-shaped tail streamers.

There are two kind appearances: dark - birds are all dark brown with small white flashes on the wings and light - birds have a pale breast with a dark cap on their heads.



 

The Pomarine Skua or Stercorarius pomarinus, is a seabird in the skua family Stercorariidae. This species is a migrant seabird, wintering at sea in the tropical oceans.

The size ranges from 46 to 67 cm  in length, 110 to 138 cm  in wingspan and 540–920 g  in weight.

Several of jungle fowls from Vietnam - 2006

On 1 April 2006, Vietnam Ministry of Posts & Telematics (MPT) collaborated with Birdlife International organisation  issued the stamp series  “Several of jungle fowls” consisting of 5 values and 1 block of 5 stamps with their denominations of 800d; 2.000d; 3,000d, 5,000d, 8,000d and 18,800d respectively. All issue stamps have logo of BLI (Birdlife International org.).

 

 

The stamp set depicts Vietnam’s threatened and endemic partridges and pheasants (Galliformes). The stamp designer selected five Galliformes to be depicted on the stamps. They are the Orange-necked Partridge Arborophila davidi, Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi, Vietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis, Germain’s Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron germaini and Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata.

Detail of five Galliformes described in the previous edition of this blog , on 27 November 2010, with the title Birdlife of Vietnam 2006.

The other issued is  Maxi card , consist of five card , each depicts the rare fowl in clearly and colourful.

 

Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi

 

All five species have small populations that are declining because of habitat loss and fragmentation and high levels of hunting.The classifications of population vary depending upon how severe their threat of extinction is considered to be.

Rare birds in Vietnamese coast

On the 25th of May 2010, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) collaborated with Birdlife International organisation issued the stamp series  “Rare birds in Vietnamese coast” . This issue consisting of 3 values and 1 block with their denominations of 2,000 đ; 6,500 đ; 8,500 đ and 14,500 đ. The species depicted on stamps are Tringa guttifer, Calidris pygmeus, Larus Saundersi, Rynchops albicollis. All species of precious and rare emigrating birds in the coastal area of Vietnam.

3-1: Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer)

Nordmann's Greenshank or Tringa guttifer is an Endangered species according to BirdLife International where its migratory routes are confined to East Asian Australasian Flyway. It is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List 2007. It is found in Xuân Thủy National Park, Nam Định province.

 

3-2: Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmeus)

Spoon-billed Sandpiper or Calidris pygmeus is a unique and rapidly disappearing shorebird. It becomes extinct be entirely due to human activity: reclamation of key staging sites, disturbance on and of the breeding grounds, and hunting. There is now evidence that the current population might not exceed 1,000 breeding pairs.

Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 ( Part 1) - Goshawk and others

In relation  with the previous page “ Birds of Solomon Islands . 2005- Pt.1. Blyth's Hornbill “, detail of each stamp described in the following:

Pied Goshawk

The Pied Goshawk (Accipiter albogularis) is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The Pied Goshawk has length ranged 33 – 43 cm and span 60 – 80 cm.This species is evaluated as Least Concern.

 

Imitator Sparrowhawk

The Imitator Sparrowhawk  or (Accipiter imitator) is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. Accipiter imitator is endemic to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul and Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands.  Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests at least 400 m and, possibly, 1,000 m and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. As a lowland species, it is likely to be threatened by forest loss and degradation.

There is extensive logging in the lowlands and hills of Choiseul and some on Isabel. Logging may become a problem on Bougainville when the island opens up to development.

Its shorter wings and tail and longer legs suggest that it is better adapted to interior forest.

Eurasian Curlew – Belarus’s Bird of the Year 2011

On March14,2011  the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus issued the stamp “Eurasian curlew” from the series “Bird of the year”.

The public organization  “Ahova ptushak
Batskaushchyny”(Protection of Homeland
Birds) declared Eurasian curlew the bird of the year 2011 in Belarus.

There are logos of the International organization for the protection of birds “BirdLife International" and Belarus public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (APB)on the stamps.

Eurasian curlew, or Numenius arquata  is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is the one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia. This is a migratory species over most of its range, wintering in Africa, southern Europe and south Asia.  It is present all year in the milder climate of Ireland, Great Britain and the adjacent European coasts.

Birdlife Stamps of St. Lucia - 2004

To continue  the previous issue of the title " Birds of St. Lucia 2004 ", explanation of 8 stamps are issued for celebration  the Unique Caribbean treasures in the following  paragraphs. The issuance comprised of 8 stamps and all stamps featured the protected bird of St.Lucia, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Lesser Antillean Pewee , Purple-throated Carib , Grey Trembler,Rufous-throated Solitaire,St. Lucia Warbler,  Antillean Euphonia, Semper's Warbler.

1$    Antillean Crested Hummingbird    Orthorhyncus cristatus

The Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest.

It is found in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, north-east Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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1$    Lesser Antillean Pewee    Contopus latirostris

The Lesser Antillean Pewee (Contopus latirostris) is a species of bird in the Tyrannidae family. It is found in Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, and Saint Lucia with records from Saint Kitts. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montanes.

New Caledonia 2006–Birdlife Stamps

New Caledonia Post issued the stamp series of birdlife consist of three stamps on year 2006. The stamp set featured Charmosyna diadema,  Aegotheles savesi, Gallirallus lafresnayanus.

Charmosyna diadema

The New Caledonian Lorikeet is 18-19 cm long (the size of a large hand), 7-8 cm of which is the slim and pointed tail.Female birds are green overall, with deep violet blue crown and dark bluish thighs, a yellowish face and underside face, and a red anal region. The tail is green above and yellowish olive below, with the four lateral feathers with red basal markings followed by a black band, tipped yellow on the underside. The beak is orange-red, the iris probably dark orange like the feet.

This bird is hard to track because it is nomadic and is relatively inconspicuous. It is listed as Critically Endangered (D1) by BirdLife International, which means that the effective population size is likely to be less than fifty individuals.

 

Aegotheles savesi

The Enigmatic Owlet-nightjar or Aegotheles savesi, also known as the New Caledonian Owlet-nightjar, is a large owlet-nightjar (a kind of bird related to swifts and goatsuckers) with vermiculated grey-brown and black plumage.

It has a long, slightly rounded tail, short, rounded wings, and long, stout legs.The description of species are 28cm long and large with  dark owlet-nightjar. Plumage rather uniformly vermiculated grey-brown and black. Structurally distinct with short rounded wings, long, slightly rounded tail and relatively long, stout legs

This bird is endemic to New Caledonia’s Melaleuca savanna and humid forests. Other members of its genus are highly territorial and nest in holes in trees. These birds also forage by sitting on a branch and attacking small animals.

Celebrating unique Caribbean Treasures–Birdlife of British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands Post issued the birdlife stamp series to celebrate unique Caribbean Treasures on year 2004. The stamp set comprised of 10 (ten) single stamps feature the Warbler birds of Caribbean.

5c  Black-and-white Warbler   ( Mniotilta varia )

The Black-and-white Warbler is perhaps the easiest warbler to identify with its distinctive nuthatch-like feeding strategy and contrasting black and white plumage.This species is 13 cm long and weighs 11 g. The summer male Black-and-white Warbler is boldly streaked in black and white, and the bird has been described as a flying humbug. There are two white wing bars. Female and juvenile plumages are similar, but duller and less streaked.

The breeding habitat is broadleaved or mixed woodland, preferably in wetter areas. Black-and-white Warblers nest on the ground, laying 4-5 eggs in a cup nest.This species is migratory, wintering in Florida, Central America and the West Indies down to Peru. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe, mainly to Ireland and Great Britain.

These birds feed on insects and spiders, and unlike other warblers, Black-and-white Warblers forage like a nuthatch, moving up and down tree trunks and along branches. The song is a high see wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see, and the call is a hard tick.

 

10c  Prairie Warbler   ( Dendroica discolor )

These birds have yellow underparts with dark streaks on the flanks, and olive upperparts with rusty streaks on the back; they have a yellow line above the eye, a dark line through it, and a yellow spot below it. These birds have black legs, long tails, pale wing bars, and thin pointed bills. Coloring is duller in female and immatures.

Their breeding habitats are brushy areas and forest edges in eastern North America. The Prairie Warbler's nests are open cups, which are usually placed in a low area of a tree or shrub.

These birds are permanent residents in the southern parts of their range. Other birds migrate to northeastern Mexico and islands in the Caribbean.Prairie Warblers forage actively on tree branches, and sometimes fly around with the purpose of catching insects, which are the main food source of these birds.

These birds wag their tail feathers frequently. The numbers of these birds are declining due to habitat loss; this species also suffers from nest parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird.

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.