The Pheasant Birds of Bhutan

The Postal Administration of Bhutan has issued  one miniature sheet consist of four stamps WWF series feature  the pheasant bird species, Lophura leucomelanos, Tragopan blythii , Tragopan satyra  and Lophophorus impejanus  on  December 17, 2003.

Lophura leucomelanos or the Kalij Pheasant, , is a pheasant found in forests and thickets, especially in the Himalayan foothills, from northern India to western Thailand. 

Males are rather variable depending on the subspecies involved, but all have an at least partially glossy bluish-black plumage, while females are overall brownish. Both sexes have a bare red face and greyish legs (the latter separating it from the red-legged Silver Pheasant).

Tragopan blythii or Blyth’s Tragopan  or the Grey-bellied Tragopan is  a vulnerable species of pheasants and located in many different areas, including Bhutan through north-east India, north Myanmar to south-east Tibet, and also China.

The total population is estimated to be about 2,500 to 9,999 birds.This estimate is a very small number compared to some of its relative birds and is believed to be decreasing at a rapid rate. 

Tragopan blythii normally flocks to wooded areas as it prefers the undergrowth of evergreen oak and rhododendron forests, and other dark, quiet places. This bird has a higher elevation than most birds. Blyth’s Tragopan pheasant is the largest of the genus Tragopan.

Like most pheasants, the male is brightly colored. Females are not as brightly colored as the male tragopan, for they do not need the extravagant appearance to attract a male counterpart.

Blyth’s Tragopan are generalists. In the wild, they consume seeds, berries, fruits, and buds. Captive birds usually consume insects, worms, and even small frogs. While they are primarily vegetarians, most birds have a predilection for berries and fruit.

Ferruginous Duck of Azerbaijan

The Postal Administration of Azerbaijan has issued  the stamp set of  WWF series which  consist of four single stamps  feature  the Ferruginous Duck or Aythya nyroca on May 05, 2000. 

Along with this issuance  the local WWF cover as the First Day Cover also issued. The cover has image of this species on the left-side and special post mark depicted  Aythya nyroca.

The Ferruginous Duck , also Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca) is a medium-sized diving duck from Eurasia. The species is known colloquially by birders as "Fudge Duck". It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

 

Their breeding habitat is marshes and lakes with a meter or more water depth. These ducks breed in southern and eastern Europe and southern and western Asia. They are somewhat migratory, and winter farther south and into north Africa.

Blue Lorikeet of Aitutaki

The Blue Lorikeet (Vini peruviana) is a small lorikeet from French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. They are endangered primarily by invasive species, including cats, rats, Swamp Harriers, and mosquitoes carrying avian malaria.

Its plumage is mainly dark blue and it has a white area over its upper chest, throat and lower face. Erectile feathers on the top of its head show light blue streaks. Its beak is orange and its irises are yellow-brown. It has orange legs. The Blue Lorikeet has a short rounded tail. Its total length is 18 cm .

The Postal Administration of Aitutaki (Cook Islands) has issued the WWF stamp series on September 03, 2002 along with the local official First Day Cover as the local WWF cover which have standard post marked   without logo WWF.

Burrowing Owl of Aruba

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a tiny but long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. The Burrowing Owl nests in a hole in the ground. Although it is quite willing to dig its own burrow, it often uses one already provided by prairie dogs, skunks, armadillos, or tortoise.

The Postal Administration of Aruba have issued the First Day of Issue  which features the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) along with the issuance of the WWF stamp on January 28,  1994.

The young are brown on the head, back, and wings with a white belly and chest. They moult into an adult-like plumage during their first summer. Burrowing Owls are comparatively easy to see because they are often active in daylight, and are surprisingly bold and approachable. The females are usually darker than the males.

Burrowing Owls are able to live for at least 9 years in the wild and over 10 years in captivity. They are often killed by vehicles when crossing roads, and have many natural enemies, including larger Owls, hawks, falcons, badgers, skunks, ferrets, armadillos, snakes, and domestic cats and dogs.
They are listed as endangered, threatened, or a species of special concern in most states and provinces where they occur.

Iceland – 50th Anniversary of WWF Organization

In the year 2011,  World Wide Fund for Nature have  celebrated the 50th anniversary. Iceland Post commemorated this  anniversary by issued the special stamp features endangered birds. The officially FDC also issued together with stamp. On the FDC have marked logo of WWF and noticed the 50th anniversary. A comprehensive survey of endangered birds was first issued in the year 2000 listing 32 bird species which account for 42% of all Icelandic breeding birds. Not all these species are in immediate danger of extinction.

Rare fauna II–Jersey 2004

Jersey Post collaborated with WWF organization  issued the second series of  the rare fauna ( threatened species) on July 27, 2004.The depicted species are Wall Lizard / Podarcis muralis , Ant Lion / Eurolean nostras , Field Cricket / Gryllus campestris, and Dartford Warbler / Sylvia undata. Along with the issue stamp,  Jersey Post released also the local FDC and maxi cards. The local FDC  have marked  image of Dartford Warbler on the left side and a special post mark shown Dartford Warbler also. Meanwhile maxi card  presented more detail of each species and each card have attached stamp of the related species.

Peregrine Falcon – Alderney 2000

Alderney / Guernsey post   released the local FDC  together with the issue stamp of  WWF series  that depicts  Peregrine Falcon ,   bird of prey on February 4, 2000. Image of species  have drawn on the left corner of  the local FDC and have  a special post mark for cancellation. Also maxi cards  have issued on the same date.

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. This species have distinctive appearances  large, crow-sized falcon and   blue-grey back, barred white underparts, black head and "moustache".

The European Turtle Dove – Portugal 2002

The Madeira Post, Portugal, has collaborated with WWF Organisation to issue  the stamp series depict The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) on August 30, 2002. The official first day cover also issued as the local WWF cover which depicts this bird and a specific postmark which drawn the two european turtle dove.

The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), also known as Turtle Dove, is a member of the bird family Columbidae, which includes the doves and pigeons.the European Turtle Dove may be recognised by its browner colour, and the black-and-white-striped patch on the side of its neck. The tail is notable as the bird flies from the observer; it is wedge shaped, with a dark centre and white borders and tips. Smaller and slighter in build than many other doves, it measures 24–29 cm  in length, 47–55 cm  in wingspan and weighs 85–170 g .

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) – Gibraltar 1996

On September 30, 1996, the Gibraltar Post issued the official first day cover as local WWF cover in conjunction with the issuance of the WWF stamp series featured Milvus milvus ( Red Kite ). This local WWF cover depicted flight bird and have a specific post marked and logo of WWF inside.

The Red Kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae .The species is currently endemic to the Western Palearctic region in Europe and northwest Africa.It is a rare species which is resident in the milder parts of its range in western Europe and northwest Africa.

The Many-coloured Fruit Dove - Samoa 2011

 

On 25 April 2011 , Samoa Post together WWF organisation released the issue WWF stamp features the brightly coloured bird ,  Ptilinopus perousii . The officially FDC  also issued by Samoa Post on the same date.The local WWF cover has coloured and featured head of this species, Fruit dove, and has a specific post marked dated 25.04.2011.  This issue stamp has designed by Karen Mounsey-Smith.

 

 

The Many-coloured Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus perousii), also known in Samoa as Manulua, is a small multi-coloured dove growing up to 250mm in length. They are primarily found in large mature forest areas in the south-western Pacific - Samoa, Fiji and Tonga - where lowland tropical and sub-tropical forests provide a natural habitat. 

Kakapo – New Zealand 2005

On 3 August 2005, New Zealand Post issued the WWF stamp series features the kakapo as an extraordinary bird. Alongside this issue stamps, the officially first day cover also released as the local WWF cover. The cover depicts the feather of Kakapo and has post marked with WWF logo.

Protected Bird - Gibraltar 1991

On May 30, 1991, Gibraltar Post collaborated with WWF organization released the stamp series features protected bird species, such as : Black stork, Egyptian vulture, Barbary partridge, and Shag or European Shag . Alongside with the issuance of WWF stamps, Gibraltar Post issued the official FDC depicted coloured silhouette of all birds and have a post mark of WWF logo, Panda.

Black Stork
The Black Stork or Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.This is a shy and wary species. It is seen in pairs or small flocks—in marshy areas, rivers or inland waters. The Black Stork feeds on amphibians and insects.
The Black Stork is a strong migrant, wintering in tropical Africa and India.The storks migrate from the middle of August to the end of September.The common route goes over Gibraltar.The Black Stork builds a stick nest high in trees.
Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vultures are widely distributed and may be found in Southern Europe, in Northern Africa, and in Western and South Asia. The adult plumage is white, with black flight feathers in the wings.  The bill is slender and long and the tip of the upper mandible is hooked.

Their habitat is mainly in the dry plains and nest mainly in arid and rocky hill regions.Populations of this species have declined in the 20th Century and some isolated island forms are particularly endangered.

Barbary partridge

The Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara), is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.The Barbary Partridge is the national bird of Gibraltar.

Bubo bubo (Berguv) - Aland 1996

Bubo bubo or Eurasian Eagle-Owl  is a species of eagle owl resident in much of Europe and Asia. It is also one of the largest types of owls.The Eagle Owl is a large and powerful bird, smaller than the Golden Eagle. It mainly feeds on small mammals  such as voles, rats, mice and hares.

The Eagle Owl is largely nocturnal and is usually found nesting on cliff ledges. Eagle Owls are distributed sparsely through a wide range of habitats. They have been found in habitats as diverse as Northern coniferous forests to the edge of vast deserts. Rocky areas seem to be favoured, with cliffs and mountains abutting woodland usually containing the largest numbers of these owls.

Norfolk Island 2004 – Sacred Kingfisher

On December 14, 2004, Norfolk Island Post issued the local FDC feature the specific species, Sacred Kingfisher.  The issued stamps comprised of 4 stamps marked with the logo of WWF.

Sacred Kingfisher is a small brightly coloured bird, with blue or Green wings, tail, and head stripe though the female is slightly duller than the male. Populations in the southern two-thirds of Australia migrate northwards at the end of breeding season to New Guinea, east to the Eastern Solomon Island and West to Indonesia becoming uncommon to very sparse as west as Sumatra. Birds move south again to Australia in August to September.

Cuba 1999–Cuban Parakeet (Aratinga Euops)

The Cuban Parakeet or Catey (Aratinga euops) is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. Aratinga euops was formerly one of the most common endemic birds on Cuba, but is now rare throughout the island. It survives in a few of the more remote regions, remaining fairly common only in the Zapata peninsula, the Trinidad Mountains and the Sierra de Najasa.