Philatelic of birds

Asiatic Lion

2012-01-09T23:51:00.002+08:00

Asiatic Lion (亞洲獅)
India (1999)
20th June, 2011. Anna Road, Chennai

Asiatic Lion, as known as Indian Lion, is an endangered species of India which is sub-species of Lion family. Originally it was widely to be found from Mediterranean Sea to southern Asia, but as a lot of reason, now only has 250-300 lions living in Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat.

The cover also features Smooth Indian Otter (印度水獺), however it is out of my collecting range.

Clockwise from top-left of block of 4 :
Rosy Starling (粉紅椋鳥) ; Garganey (白眉鴨)
Forest Wagtail (山鶺鴒) ; White Stork (白鸛)
India (2000)

50th anniversay of WWF

2011-12-08T02:00:00.000+08:00

From top of first column to bottom of last column :
Eurasian Hobby (燕隼) ; Eurasian Wryneck (蟻鴷) ; Red-backed Shrike (紅背伯勞)
Golden Oriole (金黃鸝) ; Redstart (紅尾鴝)
Eurasian Pygmy Owl (花頭鵂鶹) ; Nightingale (夜鶯) ; Whinchat (草原石即鳥)
Liechtenstein (2011)

9th September, 2011. Vaduz

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of foundation of WWF, couple of countries issued stamps last year. The most interesting stamps possible is Liechtenstein, which is a souvenir sheet features 8 species in Europe, from songbirds to preys of bird. Although the stamp shame in hexagonal shape, overall it looks nice as the birds look inhabit in the forest. The most special is the sheet features 8 variety species while compare to other WWF series maximum in four.

However, they are all very common to be found in European countries, it was quite oddly to the license holder wish endangered species appear on the stamps. Perhaps it changes its mind but it is not good for collector as the series will be overflowed.

Maxicard

From top to bottom :
Red-backed Shrike (紅背伯勞) ; Redstart (紅尾鴝)
Eurasian Wryneck (蟻鴷) ; Whinchat (草原石即鳥)
Nightingale (夜鶯) ; Golden Oriole (金黃鸝)
Liechtenstein (2011)

9th September, 2011. Vaduz

Many-coloured Fruit-Dove again

2011-09-26T21:35:00.001+08:00

Many-coloured Fruit-Dove (雜色果鳩)
Samoa (2011)
2nd September, 2011. Apia
10th September, 2011. Hong-Kong

I use 'again' in the topic, because the species had shown here already. A nice water-coloured Fiji fruit dove stamp set featured same bird on 2009. Now it comes to Samoa, be a part of collection of WWF series. Perhaps it coordinated by same stamp agency service, the design seems very similar to Vanuatu issue and the stamps are issued on same day.

Beside of Fiji, Many-coloured Fruit-dove also inhabit in Samoa. However as the islands are small enough, population of the dove in the islands are too small, the quantity closes endangered. But, of course, it overall is not endangered species in IUCN list.

Birds of Macao

2011-09-22T00:15:00.001+08:00

Clockwise from top-left :
1,50pts. : Light-vented Bulbul (白頭鵯) ; 2,50pts. : Spotted Dove (珠頸斑鳩)
3,50pts. : Yellow Bittern (黃斑葦鳽) ; 4,50pts. : Greater Coucal (褐翅鴉鵑)
Macao (2011)
11th September, 2011. Central

After 16 years, birds become actor of the Macao stamps again. Since Macao returned to China, development and tourism industry becomes only a principal policy of this small special administration. In this 10 years, a wild wetland between Taipa and Coloane be reclamation - now it called Cotai for casinos. Two special protected areas in Taipa and Ka-Ho, are partly be legally developed. Greenish spaces in Macao are decreased in this period so rarely to see wild birds in urban or country area.

Anyway, to commemorate 50th anniversary of foundation of WWF, Macao Post still issued a set of stamps related to natural, it is the first set in natural theme since 1999. Four species feature in stamps are very common ! At least they are to be found easily in the parks or countrysides in most south-east China cities.

Aardwolf

2011-09-19T14:34:00.000+08:00

Front
From left to right :
Bateleur (短尾雕) ; Red-billed Quelea (紅嘴奎利亞雀) ; Secretarybird (蛇鷲)
Eritrea (1997)
16th December, 2010. Asmara

In 2008, I had tried to send a request for a mail from Eritrea, one of newest countries in East Africa (the most newest is South Sudan, also in East Africa), unfortunately I affixed old currency Birr stamps and they are not valid for postage, the cover only sent back to me through package. This time, I collected couple of new currency Nakfa stamps and decided send again on late-2010. This cover and a maxicard which will be shown next time are the productions by Eritrean Philatelic Bureau.

This cover selected three species which are inhabiting in and endemic to sub-Sahara area. In Eritrea, as the country located in the east of sub-Sahara area and beside Red Sea, those three species, also includes below mammal Aardwolf, are fairly to be be found them in this nation.

Back
Aardwolf (土狼)
Eritrea (2001)

Hyacinth Macaw, and other species in Amazon forest

2011-09-11T14:03:00.004+08:00

Hyacinth Macaw (紫藍金剛鸚鵡)
Great Britain (2011)
22nd March, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

Hyacinth Macaw is the largest species of Psittaciformes (鸚形目), which has unique body, charmed jewelery blued feather are attracted to pet feeder. The macaw is endemic to Amazon tropical palm forests or swamps of southern Brazil, east of Bolivia and north of Paraguay. As it is a popular pet of people, the macaw has big demand in pet market and caused wild macaws are being illegal bird trading. Moreover according to the over development of forest area, their inhabit area are damaged or lost. In 80's year over 10,000 birds be caught and most of them traded to black-market of Brazil, now only 3,000 wild macaws to be found in this area.

The stamp as above comes from souvenir sheet of Great Britain, which commemorated 50th anniversary of Worldwide Fund of Nature. Whole set products include 10 stamps with worldwide endangered mammals and souvenir sheet as below features 4 species to be found in Amazon forest. But disappointingly none of them related to Great Britain.

Today is a big day as it was a foundation day of Worldwide Fund for Nature in 50 years ago. The orginasation registered at Morges, Switzerland on 11th September by Sir Julian Huxley who is a British biologist.

Clockwise from top :
1st class : Red-faced Spider Monkey (朱顏蜘蛛猴) ; 60p : Hyacinth Macaw (紫藍金剛鸚鵡)
88p : Brazilian Cobalt Dart Frog (巴西鈷藍箭毒蛙) ; 97p : Jaguar (美洲豹)
Great Britain (2011)
22nd March, 2011. Trafalgar Square, London

Massena's Lorikeet

2011-09-01T00:25:00.001+08:00

Massena's Lorikeet (馬仙納氏吸蜜鸚鵡)
Vanuatu (2011)
23th August, 2011. Port Vila

After a year, Vanuatu Post issues again WWF series to commemorate 50th anniversary of the organisation, which found in 1951. This time features beautiful and attractive Massena's Lorikeet in strip of 4 format. The species not new to Vanuatu stamps but in first time to use illustration style to produce stamps.

Massena's Lorikeet is a sub-species of Rainbow Lorikeet (彩虹吸蜜鸚鵡), this complicate species has 21 sub-species which have different features and inhabit area. For Massena's Lorikeet, it endemic to Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, and some of them rarely to Vanuatu, further south of its traditional inhabit area.

As above introduction, Massena's Lorikeet is not the first time shown on the stamps. Below aerogramme, issued couple of years features three Vanuatu domestic birds, one on the left side is Massena's Lorikeet, the imprinted postage is Eastern Reef Heron and also on the backside is Vanuatu Kingfisher, which is endemic bird of Vanuatu.

Imprinted stamp : Eastern Reef Heron (太平洋岩鷺)
Illustration : Massena's Lorikeet (馬仙納氏吸蜜鸚鵡) and
Vanuatu Kingfisher (和栗腹翡翠)
Vanuatu (2007)
23th August, 2011. Port Vila

Calabar Angwantibo

2011-08-08T00:26:00.000+08:00

Calabar Angwantibo (金熊猴)
Congo, Republic of (1996)
15th October, 2010. Brazzaville

In the main page there has introduced those four local owls. As the postage, the envelope also affixed a set of Calabar Angwantibo stamps. The species actually not endanger to sub-Sahara area, but endemic to be found in Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Only small amount are habiting in Congo. Calabar is a city in Nigeria, located in south-east of this country. The name of city to be named this gold and small monkey.

As the monkeys always appear on the farmlands, it be caught or killed illegally. Also more rainforest to be used for agricultural, the habitat for Calabar Angwantibo being less.

Kuhl's Lorikeet

2011-07-10T00:05:00.000+08:00

Kuhl's Lorikeet (孔氏吸蜜鸚鵡)
Cook Islands (2010)
26th April, 2011. Rarotonga

Kuhl's Lorikeet mainly appears at tropical rainforests, edge of forests ; sometimes nearby human activity areas like backyards, coconut plantations. It has beautiful red, green and purple feathers. It endemic to south-west Pacific islands, from Cook Islands, Kiribati to French Polynesia. As it only endemic to such small areas, it now listed as endangered species as IUCN list. In recent years, the lorikeet was re-introduced to Teraina, Tabueran, Kiritimati of Cook Islands.

Above cover sent from Cook Islands through New Zealand, while understand that from the labels on the cover, but as the relationship of Cook Islands and New Zealand, it didn't need biosecurity by custom of New Zealand.

Pygmy Cormorant

2011-06-26T16:00:00.002+08:00

Pygmy Cormorant (侏鸕鶿)
Serbia (2011)
24th May, 2011. Kanjiža

It is the third set of WWF series in 2011 I collected. Not much special but seem nice enough, it features Pygmy Cormorant. This species breeds in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, and it partially migrate to further south for winter. Due to the drainage, inhabit lose, pollution and illegal hunting, the population of Pygmy Cormorant is decreasing and now be listed as near threatened in IUCN list.

Christmas Frigatebird

2011-05-14T12:30:00.000+08:00

Christmas Frigatebird (白腹軍艦鳥)
Christmas Island (2010)
17th August, 2010. Christmas Island, West Australia
4th January, 2011. Christmas Island, West Australia

Christmas Frigatebird, as known as Christmas Island Frigatebird, is one frigatebird only breeding in Christmas Island, however it also widely visible in South China Sea, most of coast of south-east Asian countries, eastern Indian Ocean and west of South Pacific. As it mainly breeds in Christmas Islands, it can say the frigatebird is endemic to this small island in north-west of Australia. During 1988, the frigatebird listed as threatened in IUCN list while became vulnerable species in 1994. Since 2000, the frigatebird listed as critically endangered species due to the inhabit area colonised by huge of Crazy Ants (細足捷蟻), and also damaged by wildfires or cyclones.

As well as other frigatebirds, their diet mostly rob other birds caught, but they also catch fish near water surface or shallows. Male bird is in black colour except small part in white on the belly, and brownish areas on the wings. As they are frigatebird, male also has a large red and inflateable throat sac during courtship.

Same as before, mail from Christmas Island will be postmarked by attractive pictorial postmark illustrates Christmas Red Crab (聖誕島紅蟹).

50 years on, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

2011-04-29T00:03:00.000+08:00

Clockwise from top-left :
Barnacle Goose (白頰黑雁) ; Black Scoter (黑海番鴨)
Gadwall (赤膀鴨)
Iceland (2011)
27th January, 2011. Reykjavik (first day special postmark)

In 1960, Sir Julian Huxley (22 June 1887 – 14 February 1975), a British biologist wrote a couple of articles related to his observation for newspaper after his East African trip. Huxley received number of feedback on his concerned, one of feedback from Victor Stolan suggested him found an organisation for further conservation. Huxley accepted his suggestion but Stolan did not join the occurrence. Later on, Huxley together with Max Nicholson and Peter Scott produced a document Morges Manifesto, a foundation document of World Wildlife Fund for Nature and signed on 29 April of 1961. It was a beginning of WWF and its organisation registered at Morges, Switzerland on 11th September, 1961. 50 years on, WWF founding and controlling variety conservation areas and supporting different environment events over the world. Today, is a day to celebrate 50th anniversary of the foundation of WWF.

More than 20 countries to be issued stamps to commemorate this event. Guinea-Bissau and Iceland two of the firsts two issued on January, Iceland one features four waterbirds commonly to be found in Europe. Nevertheless, those four species are endangered in Iceland, they are wholly be protected in this island country.

Maxicard
White-fronted Goose (白額雁)
Iceland (2011)
27th January, 2011. Reykjavik (first day special postmark)

Grand Cayman Parrot

2011-03-01T03:17:00.004+08:00

Grand Cayman Amazon (開曼島亞馬遜鸚鵡)
Cayman Islands (1993, 1997)
5th October, 2010. North Side (Registered Dept.)

In the last post related to Ukraine, it shown a first day cover of Cuban Amazon (古巴亞馬遜鸚鵡) which commemorated 150th anniversary of foundation of Kiev Zoo. However, stamps illustrated wildlife is the first choice to collect and now I show one came from Cayman Islands, is one of World Wild Fund series in 1993 illustrates Grand Cayman Amazon, former was a sub-species of Cuban Amazon. The parrot is the national bird of Cayman Islands, the far-left stamp with description.

Grand Cayman Amazon is endemic to Cayman Islands, to be found in Grand Cayman only as it is restricted. Now the population about 3.400 birds and also recorded about 600 birds in Cayman Brac. On the Grand Cayman, the parrot easy to find in the trail of middle area according to the place is Central Mangrove Wetland and undeveloped.

Above cover sent from North Side post office, is one nearby post office of Central Mangrove Wetland. The postmark NS is the short-form of North Side. While other similar example H means Hell post office.

Birds of Macedonia

2011-02-18T19:49:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
Eastern Imperial Eagle (白肩鵰) ; Eurasian Hoopoe (戴勝)
Little Egret (小白鷺) ; Glossy Ibis (白頭䴉鸛) ; Purple Heron (紫鷺)
Grey Heron (蒼鷺)
Macedonia (2001, 2008, 2000)
25th December, 2010. Gjorche Petrov

After couple of days, I got a mail from former Yugoslavia country again ; it is the forth after Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. Thanks Ana of this cover and selected variety issues from different period, included two WWF issues : Eastern Imperial Eagle originally to be found in south-east of Europe, west and middle Asian countries. As the inhabit loss, population was decreasing and now it is rarely to find them in Hungary and Pannonian Basin. Hoopoe originally is a common bird, however also the inhabit loss, population in south-east Europe is decreasing and endanger in Macedonia and nearby countries.

Herons and Egrets are common birds in the Europe and Asia, they are popular and famous to bird-watchers.

Marine life of Indonesia

2011-02-05T00:35:00.000+08:00

From left to right bottom :
Olive Ridley Turtle (麗龜) ; Green Sea Turtle (綠蠵龜)
Leatherback Turtle (棱皮龜) ; Indo-Pacific Hawksbill Turtle (太平洋玳瑁)
Indonesia (2010)
24th October, 2010. Jakarta
19th November, 2010. Semarang, Tanah Mas
30th November, 2010. Hongkong

Unfortunately, in the time of writing, the WWF International and Groth AG, the agency approves philatelic products with WWF Panda logo. Did not authorize post office of Indonesia issue above stamp set with their logo. It was sadly to see this situation as the beautiful stamps couldn't be a part of WWF series. 4 stamps illustrate variety turtle species with description as above. Those four turtles, now facing over-hunting, egg stolen or population of ocean etc. different poor situations, the population decrease quickly in recent years.

Siberian Crane

2011-01-01T11:11:00.005+08:00

Siberian Crane (西伯利亞白鶴)

Iran (2007)

1st August, 2010. Tehran (Philatelic Bureau)

Siberian Crane, as known as Snow Crane mostly to be found in Far East region of Russia, breeds in Sakha Republic and Siberia while migrates to Fereidoonkenar and Isfahan of Iran ; Keoladeo National Park of India and south of Yangtze River of China for winter. It almost in white and brown but with blackish long bill, about 140cm tall and can be near 10kg weight. The population decreased quickly with unknown reasons in recent years, but scientist thought that construction of Three Gorges Dam in China is one reason caused they lost habitat.

This year is 50th anniversary of World Wide Fund of Natural. To celebrate this event, many countries and areas planned to issue stamps feature related foundation people and endangered species, until now confirmed Swiss, Great Britain and Macao issue the theme during 2011.

Cobb's Wern

2010-09-25T00:00:00.001+08:00

Cobb's Wern (科氏鷦鷯)
Falkland Islands (2009)
20th August, 2010. Stanley
31st August, 2010. Hongkong

Cobb's Wern, as known as Rock Wern in locals is a small brownish bird endemic to Falkland Islands, formally it was sub-species of House Wren (鶯鷦鷯), but it separated later as independence species. It mostly nesting Tussac Grass near the coast with hollow ball shape, which only to be found in South America and Falkland. The bird may breeds three to four eggs during October to December in each year. According to the small restricted area, under 2,000 pair recorded in recent years and being to be a endangered species.

Piping Plover

2010-08-07T16:00:00.001+08:00

Piping Plover (笛鴴)
Barbados (1999)
5th May, 2010. St Lucy
6th May, 2010. Bridgetown (Registration Branch, GPO)

Piping Plover is a small size plover as little as House Sparrow (麻雀), it looks sand colour ; the legs of adult plovers in orange colour, and also with black brand between two eyes. During the breeding period, birds will have one more ring in the neck. Piping Plover mostly breeding in the coast of Five-lake zone, Canada ; also the Atlantic coastlines of Canada and the United States. In winter, they will migrate to south as far as Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean islands.

Above WWF series stamp issued by Barbados on 1999 shown the plover's eggs, juvenile, males and females respectively. The background illustrated they mostly appear on the bank or waterfront. In Barbados, only few (not more than 100 populations) Piping Plover to be found in each year during migratory seasons, they mostly live in north and east side of the country. This cover, was sent from St Lucy post office where is the northernmost parish of Barbados.

Saddle-bill Stork and Black-cheeked Lovebird

2010-06-17T01:00:00.000+08:00

FrontK200 and K900 : Saddle-billed Stork (鞍嘴鸛)
K300 and K500 : Black-cheeked Lovebird (黑頰情侶鸚鵡)
Zambia (1996)
30th March, 2010. Kansenshi, Nodla
30th March, 2010. Nodla
31st March, 2010. Lusaka

Do you remember a cover from Malawi features a WWF stamp set of Nyasa Lovebird (尼亞情侶鸚鵡) ? It was a great and lovely stamp set in WWF series. Until now, only two stamp sets in WWF series are featuring species in Agapornis (情侶鸚鵡) genus, Malawi one is the second and the first one issued by Zambia on 1996 which shown as above. Above illustrated cover affixed whole set of stamps sent from Nodla, so you can find all two species in the stamp set. As well as last two Zambian mails, this cover be regraded by Mr. Ramsey, many thanks for his great help.

Saddle-billed Stork is a great stork widely to be found in sub-Saharan area, from Sudan to South Africa. Height 1,5m and the wings can be width 2,7m, except head, neck, back and tail in black colour ; black legs with pink knees, and huge reddish with black bar bill, it almost in white. The bird mostly lives in tropical marshes and wetlands, nesting in branch with deep and wide nest. Black-cheeked Lovebird is mainly in green with blackish head and reddish bill, it is endemic to Victoria Waterfall area of Zambia, as it habits in relatively small range area caused the bird easy be effected by habitat change, now it listed as vulnerable in ICUN list. Same as most lovebirds, it also is a popular pet over the world, in wild area it mostly inhabits woodland.

Above cover was sent from Kansenshi, where is a town in south-west of Nodla. Below is the back side of above envelope demonstrated how the mail processing in Zambia. And also a maxicard features Black-cheeked Lovebird, thanks Andrew of Zambia and Yoram of London, who had exciting safari trip on late-May.

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MaxicardBlack-cheeked Lovebird (黑頰情侶鸚鵡)
Zambia (1996)
31st May, 2010. Nodla

Black-faced Spoonbill, again

2010-04-10T19:40:00.000+08:00

Black-faced Spoonbill (黑面琵鷺)
Korea, DPR of (2009)
21st January, 2010. Pyongyang

After a year, I would show again Black-faced Spoonbill here, this is the second post about this endangered species. The last post, shown together with an envelope from Hongkong to Vandas Nova of Portugal and a prepaid envelope sent from Chigo of Taiwan. In 2009, North Korea was issued a series of stamps and products illustrate Black-faced Spoonbill, and also they are one of series of WWF theme. Above aerogramme is the example of the series.

Korea Peninsula and part of north-eastern China is the breeding places of Black-faced Spoonbill, and they will migrate to south for winter. Mostly they stay in south of Taiwan, south-east China especially Hongkong and farther south to Vietnam. As the change of inhabit places, population has been decreased in 80's years of last century. After large range of conversation, quantity is increasing back in these few years.

Spotted Flycatcher

2010-04-07T22:55:00.000+08:00

Spotted Flycatcher (斑鶲)

Isle of Man (2000)

26th January, 2010. Douglas

After two years, another request mail from Isle of Man Philatelic Bureau. Same as last mail, another stamp which comes from same WWF issue has been used, the only different is this is maxicard. The card specially printed in black and white colour shown the bird standing on the dead branch. Spotted Flycatcher is very common in Europe and also western Asia as there is breeding place of them. In winter, it migrates to Africa and south-west Asia.

Crabs of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

2010-03-11T22:05:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
5c : Little Nipper (葛氏陸方蟹) ; 5c : Purple Crab (兇狠圓軸蟹)
45c : Smooth-banded Ghost Crab (平掌沙蟹)
45c : Horn-eyed Ghost Crab (角眼沙蟹)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2000)
21st December, 2009. Cocos Keeling Island

These four crabs are widely to be found in west Pacific area, however they are not normally appear on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, where are the islands located in the east of Indian Ocean. Little Nipper widely to be found in Indian Ocean and west tropical Pacific Ocean, it looks puprle and black. Purple Crab is a large crab, mostly lives in the islands of Samoa, French Polynesia to East Africa, also to be found in Taiwan and Hoinam. It is in purple-reddish colour or purple-greyish colour. Smooth-banded Ghost Crab and Horn-eyed Ghost Crab widely live in the coastlines of east Asia, from southern-Japan to islands of south Pacific, they also live in Red Sea and South Africa.

Beach Thick-knee

2010-03-05T22:15:00.000+08:00

Beach Stone-curlew (澳洲石鴴)
Vanuatu (2009)
25th November, 2009. Port Vila

In 2009, there have 20 of stamp sets included in WWF series, and 8 series related to birds. However due to many situations and unexpected reasons, I only ordered stamps issued by Sao Tomé e Príncipe, Malawi, North Korea and Vanuatu ; and other four will be purchased in future. In here I would show third one issued by Vanuatu, an official first day cover by Vanuatu Post. The last one, an aerogramme issued by North Korea, to be shown on early April.

Beach Stone-curlew is a large sea bird to be found in coastlines of South-east Asia and southern Pacific countries. Mostly visible from the range of the Philippines, India, Myanmar, Malaya Peninsula, Indonesia to those islands in south Pacific include Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The bird was easily to be found in above area but after the over development, the population decrease due to the damage of inhabited area. Now it listed as Threatened species in IUCN list.

Thanks Vanuatu Philatelic Bureau to send me this nice first day cover, in the meantime there have another first day cover received, which is a beautiful stamp set Frangipani (赤素馨花).

Nyasa Lovebird

2010-02-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

Front
Nyasa Lovebird (尼亞情侶鸚鵡)
Malawi (2009)
14th December, 2009. Chichiri Central (Stamp Bureau)
14th December, 2009. Chichiri, Blantyre
15th December, 2009. Lilongwe

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, it is a big festival of couple. If find one species related to this festival, I think lovebird is the most suitable bird for couple. Most of people thought that a pair of birds is better than one if people breed lovebird at home as the habit of wild life lovebird mostly appear as couple until die.

There have 9 species in Agapornis (情侶鸚鵡) genus, all of them are to be found in sub-Sahara area of Africa. Nyasa Lovebird is one of nine and is the smallest parrot in Africa, also it is endemic to Malawi, Mozambique to Zambia areas. Nowadays less than 20,000 birds recorded and most of them inhabits Liwonde National Park, a conservation area located on the upper Shire River plain of Malawi. Due to the agricultural purposes of this area, the lovebird being restricted, and the bird does not have ability to find their inhabit place outside the national park. Nyasa Lovebird does not like captivity, so it is hard to breed humanly. The bird is not common in pet market, however still have many people feed them at home.

Actually I am very fancy to lovebird, beside it is a parrot, the colourful feather and its sound are very attractive to me. Unfortunately the environment of my home is not suitable to pet any birds. This Nyasa Lovebird's cover is the first in my collection, hope I can collect all 9 species covers and cards in future.

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Unseen or endemic to Madagascar

2009-11-18T23:05:00.000+08:00

From top to bottom :
Two-banded Chameleon (雙帶變色龍) ; Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko (馬達加斯加葉尾守宮)
Military Macaw (軍艦金剛鸚鵡)
Lesser Chameleon (侏儒變色龍) ; Standing's Day Gecko (雲石巨人日光壁虎)
Malagasy / Madagascar (1993, 1999)
30th September, 2009. CAVP (Centre d'Approvisionnement en Valeurs Postales)
14th October, 2009. Antananarivo (Processing Centre)
2nd November, 2009. Hongkong

Although only the souvenir sheet related to bird theme, the macaw can't be found in Madagascar. Military Macaw is a large macaw in Latin and South America. Due to the vary inhabit areas, it widely to be found in topical rainforest, woodland or valley. Although the macaw was a popular pet in yesterday, nowadays as the change of inhabit area and illegal trading, it listed as vulnerable species in IUCN red list.

Oppositely, four stamps issued as WWF theme illustrate four chameleons and geckos individually are endemic to Madagascar. These four species are now as endanger species, unfortunately same as Military Macaw, they are facing illegal trading for pet market and the change of resident area.

The souvenir sheet and stamp set issued in different periods of Magagascar - former name Malagasy Republic and present name Republic of Madagascar are mixed on one cover. Madagascar is an island country located in the offshore of East Africa which is a fourth large island in the world, there can be found 5% species of the world and 80% of them are endemic to Madagascar.

Eastern White Pelican

2009-11-16T00:03:00.000+08:00

Eastern White Pelican (白鵜鶘)
Ukraine (2007)
12th October, 2009. Kiev

Thank you Philipp of this mail from Kiev, actually this stamp set I waited for a long time and wanted to do it during stamp exhibition, however the Ukraine sale booth sold the stamps in HK$50, it was quite unreasonable as dealer only sells it in cheap price. The mail so pity that cancelled by machine postmark, it seems too heavy and two stamps couldn't been cancel.

Eastern White Pelican is one of large pelicans in the world, it breeds in south-east European countries and have short migration to southern Africa or south-west Asia for winter. This species is not endanger species but as more than 50% pelicans breed in the Danube Delta, where is an important breeding place of the pelicans in Romania and Ukraine. Especially only approximate 706km² of left bank of the Chilia area is situated in Ukraine, Eastern White Pelicans seem is a small settlement in this country.

Kakapo - it has been near extinct

2009-11-06T22:05:00.000+08:00

Kakapo (鴞鸚鵡)
New Zealand (2005)
8th October, 2009. Te Anau, Fiorldland

Nowadays, near 110 kakapos are living in Chalky Island and Anchor Island, where are located in Fiordland National Park, the largest conservation area in New Zealand. Kakapo is one of original resident in New Zealand since pre-history, and it lost flying ability as there did not have main preys. Before the colonisation of there by Polynesian and European, kakapo is widely to be found in both north and south Islands, afterwards the population were largely decreasing to it become endanger species when the pets come with these colonial. In 1890, governor of New Zealand began to conserve this species, unfortunately this action was not successful, during the year of 1990 to 1995, only estimate 50 birds to be found in protection areas and they were facing danger by wild cats and other invasive species. Until 2005, all of kakapos moved to four special islands where all invasive species are cleaned, the population were increasing back to nowadays quantity.

Fiorldland National Park is in the south-west of the South Island, just near the largest lake in the island Lake Te Anau and the town Te Anau. Another famous endangered species Takahe (南秧雞) also to be found in this area.

Above cover affixed with whole set WWF Kakapo issue sent from Te Anau, features with New Zealand Demoiselle (紐西蘭鯛) and Kotukutuku (倒掛金鐘) stamps, which issued on 1979 and 1999.

Whale-headed Stork

2009-08-31T20:30:00.000+08:00

Whale-headed Stork (鯨頭鸛)
Central African Republic (1999)
6th July, 2009. Bangui (Philatelic Bureau)

Whale-headed Stork is one large species in Balaenicipitidae (鸛形目) family, it only lives in tropical rain forest and wetland. Its bill looks similar with whale but it coloured in pink. From eastern African countries like Sudan, Chad, Uganda, Central Africa to southern countries like Rwanda and Zambia can find its image, it also appears in West Africa but rarely can see them. The bird now listed as endangered species due to the population decreasing, it caused by illegal hunting, the change of resident area and there damaged by human. Only 5000 to 8000 birds mostly can be found in Sudan.

Aquatic wildlife

2009-08-20T00:15:00.000+08:00

FrontFrom left to right :
100 F : African Elephantnose (箭形長頜魚)
160 F : White-faced Whistling Duck (白臉樹鴨)
70 F : Collared Kingfisher (白領翡翠) ; 120 F : Ornate Horned Frog (鍾角蛙)
Burkina Faso (1988)

BackRed-fronted Gazelle (紅額瞪羚)
Burkina Faso (1993)
29th July, 2009. Ouagadougou
via France

Here is another mail from newest African series, Burkina Faso is located in West Africa and southern of Sahara. As Volta River flows through its country, Burkina Faso was named Upper Volta but it renamed on 1984. Same as other African countries, Burkina Faso also can find many species inside its national parks and reserve areas.

Above cover franked a set of aquatic wildlife stamps and a set of Red-fronted Gazelle WWF stamps on both sides, unfortunately only White-faced Whistling Duck and Red-fronted Gazelle can be found in West Africa, White-faced Whistling Duck is a resident bird mainly lives in south of Sahara and South America, it normally appears waterfront of ponds and lakes, mostly eats seeds and plants. Red-fronted Gazelle also widely lives in south of Sahara, from Senegal to Ethiopia, it now facing decreasing of population.

The mail sent by philatelic bureau of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso via France to Hongkong. The post office of France affixed one more registered label on the mail to record the status, however it overlapped the stamps at front side and I moved to back side when the mail arrived.

Red Kite in southern Europe

2009-08-04T21:18:00.000+08:00

Red Kite (紅鳶)
Gibraltar (1996)
25th June, 2009. Gibraltar
15th July, 2009. Hongkong

It is the third time to show Red Kite stamp in here, last two are Great Britain and Switzerland separately. In last post says that Red Kite is very common in continent of Europe, however in western and southern of Europe, especially along the seashore of the Mediterranean, it is rarely to find its appearance. In winter, there are small number of Red Kites fly over Gibraltar when they migrating from northern Europe to North Africa, this WWF issue illustrated the birds bleed and live around the fort at the top of Rock of Gibraltar.

On the back of this cover franked with one extra stamp Honey Buzzard (鳳頭蜂鷹), it is one of newest Gibraltar definitive stamps but will not show in here.

Congo Grey Parrot, part II

2009-07-09T21:00:00.000+08:00

Congo Grey Parrot (剛果灰鸚鵡)
São Tomé e Príncipe (2009)
25th June, 2009. São Tomé

One of latest WWF issue of 2009, illustrates Congo Grey Parrot of São Tomé e Príncipe, an islands and poorest country of Africa. The country located outside Gulf of Guinea and nearest Equator.

Congo Grey Parrot is one of sub-species of African Grey Parrot (非洲灰鸚鵡), this species has been shown here before, the Taiwan and Angola stamps separately. Congo Grey Parrot only can be found in Ilha do Príncipe of this country, and nearest island Bioko of Equatorial Guinea. Congo Grey Parrot owns grey-whited feather, reddish tail with dark-grey bill. Another sub-species of African Grey Parrot is Timneh Grey Parrot (提姆那灰鸚鵡), it is smaller size than Congo Grey Parrot and rarely can be found in natural environment. Population from Guinea-Bissau to Cote d'Ivorie, the different is it owns dark-reddish brown tail and the bill with yellow colour.

Congo Grey Parrot is popular pet over the world, most of parrots are bleeding humanised. Wild lived Congo Grey Parrots are being endangered, unfortunately they are facing illegal catching and trading.

Pheasants of Bhutan

2009-06-13T19:30:00.000+08:00

From left to right :
2Nu : Kalij Pheasant (黑鷴) ; 8Nu : Satyr Tragopan (紅胸角雉)
5Nu : Blyth's Tragopan (灰腹角雉) ; 15Nu : Himalayan Monal (棕尾虹雉)
Bhutan (2003)
22nd May, 2009. Thimphu

Bhutan is one of secret countries in the world, it was closed until 60's year of last century, no visitor could go inside the country. However many people known that it is the most happiness country in the world now but it still is a poor country in southern Asia. As the country lays on the southern Himalayas, weather is cool in whole year so many species live in there.

Above WWF stamps are illustrated four Phasianidae (雉科) species which can be found in south Himalayas, those species are resident birds widely live in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and northern part of India, Burma and Thailand.

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat

2009-05-03T21:15:00.000+08:00

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat (斐濟尖齒狐蝠)
Fiji (1997)
2nd March, 2009. Suva
6th March, 2009. Registration office, Fiji

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat is endemic to Fiji now listed as critically endangered species, it only can be found in mountain area of Taveuni, the third large island of Fiji. In wild area, only a pair to five bats have been recorded in recent years and it being extinct in the wild.

The above cover is part of request of Fijian Dove issue, thus the cancellation is same as other two shown in here. Two extra definitive stamps illustrate Striated Heron (綠鷺) and Island Thrush (白頭鶇) were made-up for the enough postage, issued on 1995 and 2003 separately but overprinted with new value in unknown day.

Seastars of Indian Ocean

2009-04-11T23:00:00.000+08:00

34p : Crown-of-Thorns (棘冠星魚) ; 15p : Cushion Star (饅頭海星)
26p : Azure Sea Star (藍指海星) ; 56p : Banded Bubble Star (赤麗棘海星)
British Indian Ocean Territory (2001)
18th February, 2009. Diego Garcia, Chagos

This is the first mail sent from BIOT, I felt disappoint as not bird stamps, cover franking with first WWF issue of BIOT illustrated four different sea stars, anyway it still looks nice and hope will receive bird stamps in next mail. Four seastars are seem common in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, as this area like Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius are popular for diving, some visitors caught them as souvenir caused the quantity of them are decreasing.

British Indian Ocean Territory is in the middle of Indian Ocean, same far away from east bank of Africa and Indonesia, wihich occupied by Great Britain for military facility used by the country and United States.

Mourning Wheatear

2009-04-03T23:55:00.000+08:00

From left to right :

Roe Deer (野生狍) ; Greek Tortoise (希臘陸龜)
Blanford's Fox (阿富汗狐) ; Kuhl's Pipistrelle (庫氏伏翼)
Israel (2000, 2001)
17th February, 2009. Kiriat Motzkin
23rd February, 2009. Hongkong

Two covers feature two beautiful animal stamp sets which one illustrated Blanford's fox and other is four different Israelis animals, thank you for great help of Juri. The Blanford's fox set, is a part of World Wild Fund series issued on 2000, one of the stamp illustrated fox catching Mourning Wheatear (悲鵖), a species widely lives from Pakistan to Mauritania, and also farthermost to Tanzania.

As unexpected reasons, below cover spent a month to dispatch for Hongkong, while the registered cover on the above only a week.

17th February, 2009. Kiriat Motzkin

Field birds in British Isles

2009-03-17T23:10:00.000+08:00

Here I would present three items came from British Isles but they were sent from three different places respectively. Those birds shown below are very common on the islands, either in field, gardens or bank of rivers. They are small, can sing nice songs and pleasant.

Great Britain

Maxicard

Song Thrush (歐歌鶇)

Great Britain (1998)

10th June, 2008. Chelmsford, Essex

A popular garden songbird can be found in farmland and most of gardens, however the populations in England are decreasing in recent years, now it is Red Listed species. In England, there are about one million residents recorded. The cancellation of the maxicard is date-postmark of Chelmsford, a city in the east of England. There have a wetland in the town centre and most bird-watchers obverse the birds in there.

Ireland

Left : Goldcrest (戴菊) ; Right : Common Blackbird (烏鶇)

Ireland (2002)

29th April, 2008. Dublin

Goldcrest is the smallest bird in isles, mostly can be found them in coniferous forests and woodlands, also suburban area and gardens. A resident in most area through whole the year but during summer in north Scotland. Common Blackbird is the most common in field and gardens. As named as blackbird, overall its feather are black but with yellowed bill. Above cover franked with three definitive stamps, birds were issued on 2002 and wildflower was issued on 2006, which for replaces bird issue. 10c is illustrated the Mountain Avens (仙女木), a Wild Flower common to the Burren.

Isle of Man

Barn Swallow (家燕)

Isle of Man (2000)

25th April, 2008. Douglas

Barn Seallow is very common in the world, which likes nesting under eaves. Can be found them where have worms or small insects, lives in northern area but widely seen them in summer. Isle of Man is in the middle of Britain and Ireland, a part of Crown dependency of Great Britain.

Leopard Seal and Adelie Penguin

2009-03-14T16:55:00.000+08:00

Leopard Seal (豹海豹)

Australian Antarctic Territory (2001)

15th February, 2009. Casey Station

Leopard Seal is second large seal in Antarctic, just after Southern Elephant Seal (南象海豹). Back colour is dark grey but light greyed abdomen, however it named leopard as its neck with black spots. Killer Whale (虎鯨) is its only natural enemy, smallest marine life like krill to large animal penguin also can become its food.

This set of WWF stamp shown the Leopard Seals playing with Adelie Penguins (阿德利企鵝), actually those penguins look facing danger as sometimes Leopard Seal kills them. When seal wants to catch them, it will lay under the water and wait penguins jump into water.

The cover was sent from Casey Station of AAT, that means I collected two station's postmarks. The postmark features a couple of Australian Sea Lion (澳洲海獅), they look very cute. Also have one signet on the left-bottom of envelope illustrated Adelie Penguins lay on a wooden case, do you think these three penguins look like escape the dangerous ?

Steller's Eider

2009-03-03T15:20:00.000+08:00

Front

Steller's Eider (小絨鴨)

Åland (2001)

Back

Arctic Tern (北極燕鷗)

Åland (2000)

16th February, 2009. Mariehamn

Before I only collect bird stamps, issues from some countries are very attractive for me and continue to collect them, Åland is one of them. It doesn't issue many stamps in each year, just around 20 to 25 stamps, and they are not costly. However, it is not easy to find posted envelope from there - if not visit or travel to there.

Above mail, thanks for correspondence of Åland Post, helped me coordinate the cover. As the registered label too large for C6 size envelope, they found a plastic bag put all things together. I franked it on the back side of envelope after it arrived.

Steller's Eider is a rear migratory bird found in northern countries. As seen in the stamps, male feather is much colourful than female which only have browned colour. They bleeding in small pound but live in near shore. On the back side of the cover features another bird called Arctic Tern, it has been appeared on Portugal stamp and shown here before.

Dear swap partners, as some reasons, swap posted First Day Cover activity will be suspended on May, that means I will not have ability to send you posted First Day Cover in future, I am sorry for this information. However normal exchange will not have any change, I am happy to swap ordinary covers from your place, thank you.

Extended WWF collection (2)

2009-02-28T10:05:00.000+08:00

Left : Common Viper (極北蝰) ; Right : Fire Salamander (火蠑螈)

Belgium (2000)

21st January, 2009. Mechelen

A pair of envelope contain a set of WWF stamps issued by Belgium on nine years ago, stamps are illustrated four european Amphibians (兩棲類) and Reptiles (爬蟲類) separately. Stamps designed simply without any background, as it issued on 2000, face values are indicated in two currencies - Belgian Franc and Euro.

Fire Salamander and Sand Lizard are being popular pets nowadays, although whole skin of Fire Salamander is poisonous. Many websites teach people how to pet those species at home or bleeding juvenile. As like as most species, wild lived habitants are decreasing in recent years, especially in Europe.

Covers feature extra Buzin stamps issued on 2005, it is Marsh Tit (泥澤山雀). It is very common in Europe except Spain and Portugal, and can be found in forest of north-east China. In China, it is traditional pet as they can sing a nice sound, thus they are facing illegal hunting and trading in its place for a long time.

Left : Sand Lizard (捷蜥蜴) ; Right : Common Tree Frog (歐洲樹蟾)

Belgium (2000)

21st January, 2009. Mechelen

Extended WWF collection (1)

2009-02-27T13:01:00.000+08:00

Chinese White Dolphin (中華白海豚)

Hongkong (1999)

14th November, 1999. Maonshan

On today and tomorrow, I would like to show three groups of cover which are not related to birds, they are responsible to my swap partners. First one is a posted first day cover of Chinese White Dolphin issued by Hongkong in 1999, it is the only one and first WWF issue of Hongkong, and only two WWF sets have been issued in great Chinese area - other one is Chinese Pangolin (穿山甲) issued by Macao in 1995.

Most of dolphins are live in offshore of Cheklapkok Airport, southern Lantau and Tai O. People begin to pay attention to them since the location of new airport confirmed at Cheklapkok on 1992. Before the reclamation of airport, Cheklapkok and Tung Chung, north Lantau was a natural environment and wetland for different species, included endemic species Romer's Tree Frog (盧文氏樹蛙) which only be found in there and Lamma Island. Nowadays, only the dolphins can be seen in original offshore area but frogs are moved to other places.

As the licensing problem, only stamps, pre-paid postcards and first day cover carry WWF logo. The beautiful souvenir sheet which shown continuing actions of dolphins is without logo. After a year, Hongkong Post reprinted the $5 stamp on one sheetlet to commemorate stamp exhibition held on 2001.

Little Tern

2009-02-21T16:00:00.000+08:00

Front

Little Tern (小燕鷗)

Croatia (2006)

Back

Orsini's Viper (歐西尼氏腹蛇)

Croatia (1999)

10th February, 2009. Zagreb

16th February, 2009. Hongkong

An interesting cover features two different WWF stamp sets issued by Croatia. The country has been issued three sets of WWF stamp, I still missing the one issued on 2004. Little Tern seems is a normal seabird in the world, can be found offshore of Asia, Europe, eastern Australia and western Africa. However the population has declined or become extinct in most European countries, and only few river or inland suitable for them to habitat. In Croatia, Sava and Drava, which is located in the border of Hungary and Croatia can be found the habitations.

European Turtle Dove

2009-02-05T20:30:00.000+08:00

European Turtle Dove (歐斑鳩)

Madeira (2002)

25th February, 2008. São Vicente, Madeira

A small (27mm) chalk-browned Turtle Dove with black and white veins on neck and dark-browned wings, size is smaller than Rufous Turtle Dove. Mostly they are widely living in Europe, Eurasia and North Africa. In Madeira, good bird-watching place is São Vicente, a small village in the north of Madeira.

Above cover is sent from São Vicente, the return address I added back after it come back. However, I known one friend who lives in Madeira afterward, her house is in São Vicente and nearest this hotel. She surprises this cover and sent me some postcards from there, it is really a nice place.

Bulwer's Pheasant

2009-02-01T15:20:00.000+08:00

Bulwer's Pheasant (鱗背鷴)

Brunei Darussalam (2001)

22nd March, 2008. MPO, Belait

Endemic bird of Borneo forests, it only can be observed in eastern Malaysia and Brunei. However some zoos and parks feed them humanly. Bulwer's Pheasant is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List nowadays as population rapidly decreasing. Cover shown two stamps illustrated mainly different between two sexes, male is in blue colour but female and juveniles are in brown colours. Sender of this mail Hung is a Chinese who lives in there, thus he can write 'airmail' in Chinese characters, thanks for his great mail.

Black-billed Amazon Parrot

2009-01-31T20:45:00.000+08:00

Black-billed Amazon (黑嘴亞馬遜鸚鵡)

Jamaica (2006)

5th January, 2009. Kingston

It is second mail with parrot stamps from Caribbean, thanks for Jamaica Philatelic Bureau kindly helpful. The last one is from Cuba which is also WWF issue has been shown in here before. Same as Cuba Parrot, Black-billed Amazon is a sub-species of Amazon Parrot and they are endemic in Cuba or Jamaica separately. Amazon Parrots are commonly in green colour however their bill or head is in different colours. In recent years, it is very common to find them in pet markets, they are very beautiful but noisy enough.

Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon and Hawk-Owl

2009-01-27T18:44:00.000+08:00

(L) Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon (聖誕島帝鴿) and

(R) Christmas Island Hawk-Owl (聖誕島鷹鴞)

Christmas Island (2002)

8th August, 2008. Christmas Island

A beautiful gutter block appears on the envelope cancelled by special cancellation of Christmas Island which illustrated Christmas Red Crab (聖誕島紅蟹). Those three species are only can be observed in Christmas Island and its neigbourhood Cocos (Keeling) Islands, these two area are overseas territories of Australia located in eastern Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia. They have their own stamps inscriptions are Christmas Island or Cocos (Keeling) Islands separately. However those stamps are valid for postage in Australia mainland.

Chinstrap Penguin

2009-01-16T13:45:00.000+08:00

Chinstrap Penguin (南極企鵝)

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (2008)

10th July, 2008. King Edward Point (First day special postmark)

9th September, 2008. King Edward Point

via Falkland Islands and London

7th October, 2008. Hongkong

One of new WWF issues in 2008. A cute penguin species in the world which normally seen in South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, and islands around Antarctic Circle. They also call Ringed Penguins or Bearded Penguins as they are look like wearing black helmets. Cover is not sent on first day of issue due to the transport problem, it bears a regular postmark on the back side with one 90p Chinstrap Penguin and 5p definitive stamps.

Caribbean's birds (3) - Cuba

2009-01-14T21:35:00.000+08:00

Cuban Conure (古巴小鸚哥)

Cuba (1998)

21st December, 2007. Havana

24th January, 2008. Hongkong

A special cover from secret country, the country closed over 50 years but now it beginning open to the world. Cuban Conure only breeding and living in Cuba, the population fewer than 5,000 individuals. However, from the data of BirdLife, it still appears on domestic market for trading. On the meantime, two domestic bird stamps also appear on the cover, they are Wild Turkey (野火雞) and Helmeted Guineafowl (珠雞). Seem all the birds can be found in Cuban markets.

African Buffalo

2009-01-10T13:10:00.000+08:00

African Buffalo (非洲水牛)

Guinea-Bissau (2002)

2nd December, 2008. Bissau

A WWF issue again, this buffalo is different than Asian species which is domestic animal, they can't be eat or make cheese from their milk. African Buffalo can be found in grasslands and floodplains located south of Sahara and Namibia. This envelope I sent on August of 2007 and just came back few days ago, it spent near 1.5 years.

European Roller

2009-01-06T22:00:00.000+08:00

European Roller (藍胸佛法僧)

Lithuania (2008)

8th September, 2008. Vilnius (First day special postmark)

6th October, 2008. Vilnius

11th October, 2008. Hongkong

A very common and large globe population bird in the old days, which can be found from Eurasia to North Africa, estimated 100,000 pair recorded in Europe. However the amount decreasing largely in following years, nowadays only 30 pairs can be observed in Latvia and Lithuania and no record of Estonia and Central Asia. The conservation states now is near threatened. This first day cover sent after a month of issue day, beside these 4 nice European Rollers, two bird stamps franked on the back side, which they are Great Snipe (巨鷸) and Corn Crake (長腳秧雞) separately.

Nicobar Pigeon

2008-12-31T20:50:00.000+08:00

Nicobar Pigeon (綠蓑鴿)

Solomon Islands (1993)

4th May, 2008. Honiara

Nicobar Pigeon is resident bleeding bird which can be found in south-west Pacific islands from Philippines to Indonesia, of course includes Nicobar Islands, in the easternmost of Indian Ocean. Its conservation states is near threatened. Same as Seychelles' cover, I don't know the exact registered tariff to Hongkong, but I think it is not enough. By the way, thanks Solomon Islands post office of their kindly help.

Mauritius Parakeet

2008-12-22T08:17:00.000+08:00

Mauritius Parakeet (毛里求斯長尾小鸚鵡)

Mauritius (2003)

23rd November, 2008. Port Louis

Thanks Tasneem for the nice cover, she franked whole set of beautiful parrot stamps with postage label. Mauritius Parakeet is a rare bird which only can be seen in Mauritius and islands near Madagascar, locals named katover. In 60's year of last century, it became near-extinction, following 20 years, dedicated research and conservation effort was launched to save the birds, the situation had at stabilized. Nowadays the population around 250-300 birds.

Black Stork

2008-12-21T00:00:00.000+08:00

Black Stork (黑鸛)

Belarus (2005)

17th February, 2008. Minsk

28th February, 2008. Hongkong

It is quite common migratory bird in Europe and Far East Asia, and some habitant in southern Africa. In Hongkong, winter is good season to find them in Maipo wetland. But as many different reasons, Black Stork becomes rare in northern Europe, the amount of them are decreasing. Stamps on this envelope is a whole set issued on 2005, and also franked with other bird definitive stamps which are other species. Thanks to Alexander Rusak for the great help.

Aldabra Drongo and Aldabra Red-headed Fody

2008-12-18T14:32:00.000+08:00

Front

Back

R : Aldabra Drongo (阿爾達巴拉卷尾)
L : Aldabra Red-headed Fody (阿爾達巴拉紅頭雀)
Seychelles (2008)
2nd December, 2008, Victoria, Mahé
9th December, 2008, Hongkong

One of latest WWF issue on 2008 which issued by Seychelles, a small islands country in East Africa. Those two birds, can only be found in Aldabra Island of Seychelles.

Stamps are purchased from local dealer, the stamp set are quite cheap. I bought 4 sets and frank three of them on above envelope, with some old definitives of Seychelles. Actually I don't know exactly tariff of registered mail to Hongkong when I sent this request, but seem it still a petty envelope for my collection.

Cover features four definitive stamps issued on 2000, are Seychelles Tree Frog (塞舌耳樹蛙), Seychelles Killifish (塞舌耳鏘魚), Seychelles Splendid Palm (塞舌耳扶搖櫚) and Seychelles Skink (塞舌耳蜥) separately.