Birds Perched, Birds Flying, Birds Aground

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a pair of Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta), a small white heron found in southern Europe, across the Mediterranean, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, designed and engraved by Robert Cami, and issued by France on February 15, 1975 to publicize nature protection, Scott No. 1420, Y&T No. 1820. Note: This bird is misidentified in the Scott standard stamp catalogue as the Snowy Egret, a similar North American species.

- nethryk

Hopefully not already posted...

Here is an image of an engraved airmail stamp depicting a Southern Green Pheasant (Phasianus versicolor versicolor) breaking cover from a clump of pampas grass, issued by Japan on January 10, 1950, Scott No. C11, SG No. 479.

- nethryk

Just arrived...

Here are images of the three stamps in a birds set issued by Cambodia on May 2, 1964, Scott Nos. 132-134, SG Nos. 162-164.

- nethryk

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia), designed and engraved by René Cottet.


Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting), designed and engraved by René Cottet.


Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea), designed and engraved by Gilbert Aufschneider.

TRIVIA: what "form of entertainment" had a character called "Kingfish"? The center stamps reminded me of it...

Nells250 - "Holy mackerel!" George "the Kingfish" Stevens was one of the principal characters in "Amos 'n' Andy," a popular and long-running radio and later television situation comedy set in the African American community. Although the TV show was canceled by CBS under pressure from the NAACP in 1953, I can remember seeing several episodes of the TV show in syndication during the mid-1950s. - nethryk

Spain (Espana) 1985, Bearded Reedling (also known as bearded tit)

Cute young chick, printed by photogravure, and issued by India in 1979 to publicize its poultry industry, Scott No. 840.

- nethryk

Penguins and the Aurora Australis, designed by Hungarian artist Adam Cziglenyi, printed by photogravure, and issued by Hungary on March 25, 1965, Scott No. 1665. Note that Scott misidentifies this light show as the Aurora Borealis (highly unlikely).

- nethryk

a Rosy-faced love bird from Japan delivering a love letter.
The stamp came from the 10v sheetlet issued for Letter-writing day 23-07-2003

Tumbler pigeons are varieties of domesticated pigeons descendant from the Rock Dove (Columba livia) that have been selected for their ability to tumble or roll over backwards in flight. Here is an image of a stamp depicting a Swedish tumbler, designed by French artist and pigeon fancier Jean-Louis Frindel, engraved by Lars Sjööblom, and issued by Sweden on August 19, 2004, Scott No. 2489, Facit No. 2434.

- nethryk

This is a popular issue from Thailand (2008) - Peacocks, on souvenir sheet:

Hi nethryk - what does the tumbling ability provide for those pigeons, or is it aesthetic? I am wondering what would make them do that?

scifi7 - Pretty peacocks! The tumbling seems to be an aesthetic matter among pigeon fanciers. I would hazard a guess that the original evolutionary purpose of tumbling might have had something to do with evasive maneuvers against predators.

Here is an image of a stamp depicting another fun-to-watch flyer: Bungalow Swallow (Hirundo javanica namiyei), printed by photogravure, and issued by Ryukyu Islands on May 10, 1966, Scott No. 143.

- nethryk