Taiwan Blue Magpie (Urocissa caerulea)

                 Endemic to the country is the beautiful  Taiwan Blue Magpie  also known as the "long tailed mountain lady". The bird has been featured on several Taiwanese stamps and this time was chosen for an ATM label and the commemorative pictorial cancel for the recent "Philataipei 2016" World Stamp Expo
                                            

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.