Northern Goshawk ( Accipiter gentilis)

   Issued  May 8, 2015 as a joint issue with Thailand to commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations This is a prepaid cover which has been up-rated with matching stamps for international posting.
 The Northern Goshawk is a medium size raptor which inhabits the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere.
                                       

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.

Germany- Northern Goshawk

It's not easy to get birds on postal history  so it was a very  pleasant surprise to receive this cover in the mail last week from a friend in the UK. Cancelled in Ansbach, West Germany, you see a Northern Goshawk from the 4v set of Birds of Prey, on a semi-postal  stamp of 20pf+ 10pf in aid of Youth Welfare.