The rarest native seabird on Christmas Island, the frigatebird, is featured as part of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Stamp Collection.

The frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) is the rarest endemic seabird on Christmas Island, listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Considerable areas of the frigatebird’s former breeding habitat have been cleared, and its current breeding areas are now threatened by the invasive Crazy Ant and pollution from past phosphate mining. (read more)

published September 4th, 2010

On 29 July, 2010, An Post issued four stamps featuring Ireland’s birds of prey (raptors) as part of the Fauna and Flora series. The species depicted on the stamps are the Buzzard, the Golden Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon and the Merlin.

The Buzzard Buteo buteo is a medium sized raptor, with broad wings, compact body, short neck and medium length tail. Once effectively extinct in Ireland, buzzards have been making a comeback recolonising the country.

The Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos is a large, powerful raptor, extremely swift and can dive upon their quarry at speeds of approximately 240km per hour. Having become extinct in Ireland in the early 20th century, the Golden Eagle Trust began the process of reintroducing these birds in Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal in 2001. (read more)

published August 12th, 2010

Last year, Canadian Geographic, in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature, invited Canadians to compete in five categories for their second Wildlife Photography of the Year contest. The winning snapshots, chosen from more than 6,400 submissions (up from 5,500 in 2008), were published in the magazine’s annual Wildlife issue (December 2009); included in a traveling exhibition organized by the Museum of Nature; and featured on a set of five stamps. “The partnership is a perfect fit,” says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services at Canada Post. “It’s a great opportunity to show Canada what we’re made of.” (read more)

published May 24th, 2010

The Estonian Ornithological Society picked has two species of shrikes, the red-back shrike (Lanius collurio) and the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), as birds of the year 2010.

The birds have a long tail and a strong hooked beak. The male shrike has a typical black eye mask. The red-back shrike is slightly larger than the sparrow while the great grey shrike is about the size of a small thrush. Shrikes can be seen in open and semi-open landscapes. Although shrikes are regarded as passerines they can be heard singing very seldom. Shrikes are carnivorous birds whose catch consists of larger insects, lizards, frogs, small (read more)

published May 4th, 2010

Australian stamp collectors have revealed their love for Mother Nature by voting Australian Songbirds as their favourite stamp issue for 2009. Thousands of Australians took part in the annual Australia Post Stamp Design Award – People’s Choice.

Illustrated by Brisbane-based wildlife artist, Christopher Pope, the Scarlet Honeyeater design, which is part of the Australian Songbirds stamp issue, was voted the overall favourite stamp for the year. It is the second stamp issue he has illustrated.

“I’m so thrilled these stamps have captured the hearts of Australian collectors, as they highlight (read more)

published February 4th, 2010