Sunday Stamps 007: Birds on stamps

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Today we are featuring birds on stamps at Viridian’s Sunday Stamps. I think I have three to share, all coming from different countries.

First stop, Lietuva (Lithuania):

This stamp is part of a set of three se-tenants, a 2007 joint-issue of Lithuania and Belarus depicting Čepkeliai and Kotra Nature Reserve, situated on the southern edge of Lithuania, consists of the biggest array of marsh in the country, overgrown continental dunes, forests and relic lakes. The River Katra marks the southern boundary of the reserve as well as the state border with Belarus. Behind it the Katra sanctuary runs in Belarus.

great snipe bird on stamps The Great Snipe (Gallinago media) is a very rare bird of the family Scolopacidae in Lithuania and is considered as a universally declining bird species included to the Red Data Book of Lithuania. A bird’s body reaches up to 28 cm in length; weight is 62-74 g. When flying may be recognized from white sides of the tail and 2 or 3 white strips along the wings. (Lietuvos Paštas)

 

Next stop, Austria:

Austrian Post released this stamp along with the bee-hawk month as part of its environmental protection stamps in 2008. This bird is called a hoopoe (pronounced hoo'-poo or sometimes hoo'-poh) found only in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

hoopoe bird on austrian stamp

The hoopoe has quite a unique look. With its distinctive coloration, a fan-like crest atop its head, and a mouth dominated by a long, slightly down-curved beak, the hoopoe is instantly recognizable.

Even its call is quite recognizable as a three syllable oop-oop-oop. The "oo" sound in its call has led to its name of hoopoe and well as its scientific name of Upupa epops (pronounced oo-poo'-pa ee'-pops).

The magnificent crest as shown on the Austrian stamp is not usually upright unless the bird is alarmed or otherwise excited. Normally, the crest lays down nearly flat and the plumage that is upright when the bird is alarmed will protrude rearward.

Humans have been in contact with the hoopoe for a long time, and the bird has even been identified in several religious texts. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, for example, the hoopoe is listed among the birds, such as eagle, the great owl, and the vulture that are not to be eaten.

Even though the bird is not kosher for Jewish food, it is well known in Israel. In late May, 2008, in a contest to pick the Israeli national bird, the hoopoe won with a majority of votes. (Stamps of Distinction)

Last, but not the least, from Taiwan:

After issuing the first of the “Birds of Taiwan” definitive series in 2007, the Taiwan post issued another set of four stamps, including this stamp showing a grey treepie bird (below), Dendrocitta formosae,  as a follow up.

grey treepie bird on Taiwan stampThis common resident bird, about 34 centimeters in length, is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan. The coloration of the bird is largely black, gray and brown. Its black hooked beak is thick and powerful and slightly bents downward. Its forehead and cheeks are black and its crown and nape are grayish black. Its wings are black with white wing patches. Its back and breast are chestnut colored and its belly pale gray. Its tail is long and black with gray uppertail coverts and orange brown undertail coverts. (Chunghwa Post)

7 comments:

Bob Scotney said...

Three great birds and stamps. There is also a stamp from Dubai with the hoopoe.

Postcardy said...

My favorite is the hoopoe because it is so distinctive.

viridian said...

I think I have received the Taiwan stamp via Postcrossing. thanks for participating.

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

Yes, the hoopoe really is distinctive!

GadgetSponge.com said...

I'm usually not a big fan of photography bird stamps, but that one from Taiwan is really nice and rich in color. Thanks for sharing! And you gotta' love the haircut on that hoopoe!

Postcard Perfect said...

I like your bird from Austria. :)

My SundayStamp:Birds

Dorincard said...

Great images and comments! :)

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