New Issues

Åland Post – Parrot Crossbill

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Written by Steven Ardron

Introduction

On 15 March 2023, Åland Post issued a single stamp featuring a fascinating bird, the Parrot Crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus) from the family of Finches and Euphonias and allies (Fringillidae), which comprises some 229 species.

This is the first time that Parrot Crossbill has appeared on a stamp.

The Parrot Crossbill resides in the countries of Scandinavia and in the three Baltic States.  There may also be an outpost of this bird in North Eastern Scotland.  It feeds primarily on seeds, buds and shoots of various trees and shrubs, including Scots pine, spruce, larch, alder, crowberry, bilberry.  In summer, the Parrot Crossbill also feeds on a variety of insects.

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New Issues

Ghana – Coqui Francolin

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Written by Steven Ardron

On 13 March 2023, the Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation (IGPC), which issues stamps for the Ghana postal authority,  issued two sheetlets featuring the Coqui Francolin (Campocolinus coqui), a member of the Phasianidae family (pheasants and allies).  This bird is native to Africa, primarily countries in central, southern and eastern Africa: Angola, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. However, there are also small populations of the Coqui Francolin located in Western Africa, including Burkina Faso, Gabon, Nigeria and Togo.

According to the IUCN Red List, the Coqui Francolin has Least Concern conservation status, though scientists have yet to quantify the population of this bird. That said, the IUCN Red List indicates that the scientific community consider the population stable.

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New Issues

St Pierre et Miquelon Annual Bird Issue (7th January 2023)

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Written by Steven Ardron

Wilson’s Phalarope

Valid for postage solely from St Pierre et Miquelon for internal use, or for postage to France and Overseas Territories, for postal items up to 20g. Wilson’s Phalarope  (Steganopus tricolor) belongs to the family of Sandpipers and Allies (Scolopacidae)  and is classified as a bird of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.  Geographically, this bird is primarily native to the western and central areas of North and South America; as well as being present in Central America.  The IUCN Red List indicates that the numbers of the Wilson’s Phalarope are on an upward trend, though there are no accurate estimates of the population size.  Within St Pierre et Miquelon, the Wilson’s Phalarope is considered an extant and vagrant bird, given that the distribution is largely to the west of the North American continent.

Technical details: Dimensions: 52mm x 31mm. Printing: offset. Designer: photograph by Valérie Jackman.  Print run: 20,000, available in sheets of 25 stamps.

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Costa Rica: Franking or Postage Labels

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Written by Steven Ardron

Introduction

This article/Blog deals with postage labels issued by Correos Costa Rica.  The two franking labels that we focus on here illustrate two birds: the Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)  and the Coppery-headed Emerald (Microchera cupreiceps). 

These two labels come from a set of four, with the two other labels making up the set of wildlife endemic to Costa Rica.  For completeness, the other two labels illustrate:

  • The Black-speckled Palm Pit Viper (Bothriechis nigrovirdis); and
  • A Jumping Spider (Phiale Formosa) from the Salticidae family.

The Franking Labels

Issue Information: Some years ago, my sister once went on one of these adventurous rainforest holidays in Costa Rica. When she made the booking, I don’t think that she had fully appreciated that Costa Rica is home to over 100 species of snake, some 20 of which are venomous.  Equally, Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s most dangerous spiders.  Anyway, I am pleased to say that she returned safely home without having encountered either.  The Isle of Man is about as exotic as it gets for me (it’s snake free).  But back to the birds. 

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New Content, News

THAILAND – First Crypto Stamp in ASEAN – Pigeon

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Written by Steven Ardron

Introduction

On 14 August 2022, Thailand Post issued its first ever Crypto Stamp, to celebrate the 14th Anniversary of Thailand Post.   The publicity for Thailand Post indicates that Thailand is the first of the 10 countries which make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to issue such a stamp.

The Crypto Stamp and what you can do with it. In theory, the first thing that you can do with this stamp, which bears an image of a pigeon, is to use it for normal postal purposes.  The stamp (on the left in the image) is self-adhesive.

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