USA- Bald Eagle on meter

The Bald Eagle has been the national symbol of the United States of America since 1782. The first postage stamp featuring the bald eagle was issued in 1938 and since then there have been numerous stamps, postal stationary items and meter cancels with images of the eagle. Here's is a current Postalia  franking meter featuring the eagle in an unusual upright stance.

Thailand-Owls 2013

Barred eagle-owl (Bubo sumartranus), Western barn owl (Tyto alba), Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia) and Collared owlet (Glaucidium brodiei). Issued at the end of July 2013, a set of four owls, all resident in Thailand and seen here on large stamps. Clear postmarks from Petchaburi, Thailand.

Czech Republic- Hunting and Gamekeeping 2000

Issued in october 2000, a set of four stamps titled Hunting and Gamekeeping, three of which have birds. Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Common Pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus) and Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus)
The stamp with the Goshawk shows it as a trained bird for hawking and also on the ground with the pheasant which it is has captured. Postmarked in Breclav, Czech Republic, an excellent addition for my theme of hunting , wild animals and of course birds.

Pakistan-Migratory Birds

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Snow geese(Chen caerulescnes) Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) and Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus) are some of the many species of birds which breed in the far northern hemisphere during the summer  and fly  to a region which has a warmer winter away from freezing conditions. Nearly one million migratory  birds from Europe, India and Central Asia use the Indus Flyway to arrive in Pakistan where there are many wetlands and protected areas for these magnificent winged creatures. The stamps were issued 27-09-2012

Pakistan- Red-vented Bulbul ( Pycnonotus cafer)

Here is my first ever bird cover from Pakistan, and what a beauty with the attractive positioning of the stamps and nice clear cancels. The front of the cover has a block of 8 stamps, and the back a strip of four plus older definitive stamps to make the correct postage. Issued as a definitive stamp, the bird is a Red-vented bulbul, endemic to Pakistan and also introduced to other countries such as Hawaii, Fiji, new Zealand and Samoa,  where the birds have become pests from damaging orchard fruits.

USA- Purple Martin (Progne subis)

The Purple Martin (Progne subis) is the largest North American Swallow. Theses birds have great speed and agility in flight at the same time also  feeding on insects in the air. In the eastern parts of the USA , artificial nesting boxes are provided for the birds which migrate south after breeding season. Populations of Purple martins are under threat from introduced European starlings as they compete for breeding sites.
The Purple Martin stamped envelope is for 1st class mail at the 1 ounce rate. The illustration  was created by  American artist Matthew Frey, featuring a  Purple martin perching and a smaller illustration showing the bird in flight.

Thailand- Owls 2013

Thanks to Tom for the very latest bird stamps with clear cancellations from Thailand, a 4v set comprising.
Western barn owl (Tyto alba)
Collared Owlet ( (Glaucidium brodiei)
Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia)
Barred Eagle-owl ( Bubo sumatranus)

South Africa- Tauraco corythaix

This true maxi-card  of a  Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix)arrived today , the three elements  on the card are concordant, meaning the picture on the card, the pictorial cancel and the stamps are all related.
These birds have spectacular colors and the crimson flight  feathers of some Turacos   are treasured as status symbols by royalty and Chiefs all over Africa.

Germany-Bird of the Year 2013

Many countries now select a "Bird of the Year" to bring attention to  threatened of species. This year Germany selected to highlight  the Common Snipe ( (Gallinago gallinago) - a migratory  wading bird of the Old World which breeds in marshy wetlands in Northern Europe and Northern Asia. During courtship display, the bird vibrates its tail feathers creating a  sound which can be similar to a bleating sheep or goat. In many languages the bird is also known as the Goat bird, Flying Goat, Heather-bleater or Heaven's ram.
These attractive commemorative postmarks have been issued annually since 1971.

Portugal- African Grey Parrot

Birds from vending machines. First issued in 2000 from a set of  four designs featuring pets  is this African Grey Parrot  (Psittacus erithacus). The set design did not correspond to an issue of ordinary postage stamps.  The bird is not endemic to Portugal but was a popular companion to  Portuguese sailors during their long journeys at sea.

Singapore-Our Garden in a City

My favorite type of bird covers are when I get multiples of the same stamp as you see here with the Orienttal Pied Hornbill. There's also a Crimson Sunbird  illustrated on these stamps .

Singapore-Our Garden in a City

A set of four very colorful attractive stamps from Singapore to highlight the many flowers and birds which can be found on this highly urbanized and well organized island state.
The birds are
1st Local-Collared kingfisher ( Todiramphus chloris)
50c-Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) & Oriental Pied Hornbill ( Anthacoceros albirostris)
80c-Oriental Magpie robin ( Copychus saularis
$1.10-Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

Canada-Yellow-headed Blackbird

An attractive Yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) on a card from Oak Hammock Marsh Conservation Centre where this bird can be seen in typical habitat west of the Great Lakes. These medium sized birds forage in the marshes and nearby fields for insects or seeds.