Post office issues
bird stamp series
WILLEMSTAD--Nieuwe Post Nederlandse Antillen N.V. has issued a special twelve-stamp series dedicated to birds. Designer Ans Mezas-Hummelink gives a close-up view of these beautiful, brightly coloured creatures by placing them on a white background.
5 cents – Parus caeruleus – Blue Tit
The striking blue on the wings, tail and especially on the crown makes the Blue Tit an easy bird to identify. It is found throughout most of Europe.
5 cents – Taeniopygia guttata – Zebra Finch
The Zebra Finch is the most common finch of Central Australia. The Zebra Finch inhabits the open steppes in bushes and trees.
35 cents – Pitta genus – Blue-winged Pitta
Even though it can handle long distances, the small plump Blue Winged Pitta would rather jump than fly. These birds are shy and rarely seen. Their natural habitat is the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia and Australia.
35 cents – Pyrrhula pyrrhula – Bullfinch
The bright red parts of a male Bullfinch can provide a rare splash of colour on a grey winter day. They are numerous and widespread in most of Europe.
60 cents – Calospiza fastuosa
The Calospiza fastuosa matures to 14cm long and has a wing length of 7cm. The male differs from the female only in the colour on his head. This eastern Brazilian bird builds its bowl-shaped nest in shrubs.
60 cents – Cosmopsarus regius – Golden Breasted Starling
This beautiful starling is found in pairs or small groups in dry, open bush and wooded areas. It has a slender appearance and the iridescent blues, greens and violets and reds on its back, head and chest contrast sharply with the golden-yellow parts.
75 cents – Merops apiaster
Bee eaters, with their fantastic combination of rainbow colours and streamlined shape, are virtually unmistakable. They are common throughout much of southern Europe and are also found in Afghanistan, Oman, Central Asia, Russia and northwest Africa.
75 cents – Coracias caudatus – Lilac Breasted Roller
This attractive bird is one of the most commonly seen of the rollers. They are unbothered by people, which often allows for easy picture-taking by bird lovers.
85 cents – Icterus nigrogularis – South American Yellow Oriole
This bird is smaller than the Orange Trupial (Icterus icterus). Its nest is a long cylindrical basket of plus or minus 40 cm suspended from the end of a branch. It breeds in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, the Guianas and Northern Brazil.
85 cents – Dendrocopos major – Great Spotted Woodpecker
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is the most common woodpecker in Europe except perhaps in the Southeastern part of the continent.
100 cents – Alcedo atthis – Common Kingfisher
This bird is widespread in most of Europe.
100 cents – Amazona barbadensis – Yellow-shouldered Parrot
This is a rather large, robust bird with round wings and a short tail. They usually fly in pairs. They are social animals and eat all sorts of fruit.
The stamp issue, first day cover and all pertaining philatelic items are available at all Post Offices of the Netherlands Antilles.
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