Black-billed Amazon of Jamaica

 

Jamaica Post collaborated with WWF organization issued the stamp set feature Black-billed Amazon, endemic bird. The issue consist of 4 postage stamp depicted the life of this bird.

Black-billed Amazon, or Amazona agilis, is a parrot endemic to Jamaica. Sometimes called the Black-billed Parrot, this Amazon parrot is mostly green with small patches of red on the wing and sometimes flecked on the head, tail feathers margined blue with red bases to outer feathers. It is size up to 25 cm with bill in black colour.

They feed on fruit, seeds, and nuts, and will take cultivated fruit like mangoes, papayas and cucumbers as well as wild fruits.

The Black-billed Amazon has become much rarer due to deforestation and hurricane damage fragmenting its forest, poaching for food and the pet trade in wild parrots. The population estimated 10,000 - 19.9999 numbers. This species's range is very small, and Bird Life International qualified the species as Vulnerable.

Nauru bird life part 1

Nauru Post collaborated with Bird Life International have issue 3 mini-sheets of bird stamps series. There are amazing colour of picture and excite to collect. This page just describe the first mini-sheets, which contain the species of birds like as: Long-billed White-eye, Faichuk White-eye, Golden White-eye, Bridled White-eye, Samoan White-eye,and Rota Bridled White-eye. Among of the six bird species, critically endangered species are Golden White-eye, Faichuck White-eye, and Rota Bridled White-eye.


Description of three critically endangered species of birds will be issue in the next page.

Umukia Raja, part 4 of 5 duck stamp series

Umukia Raja , or Raja Shelduck (Tadorna radjah) (in Australia also known as Burdekin Duck) is a species of shelduck. Both the male and female of the species are mostly white, with dark wingtips and a distinctive "collar" of dark feathers. Seen from above in flight, the birds have green bands on the tops of their wings. The female has a harsh rattle and the male has a breathy, sore-throat whistle. The diet consists mainly of molluscs, insects, sedge materials and algae.

The species inhabits the mangrove forests and coastline of New Guinea and Australia. In Australia, its primary range is coastal tropical northern Australia, from central Queensland through Northern Territory (including Kakadu National Park) to the Kimberley in Western Australia. The species prefers the brackish waters of mangrove flats and paperbark tree swamps, but will visit freshwater swamps, lagoons, and billabongs further inland during the wet season.

The Raja Shelduck is listed as a protected bird in all states of Australia and penalties exist for harming or disturbing them. Population estimated 35,000 – 1,100,000 numbers.

Entok Rimba, part 5 of 5 duck stamp series

Entok Rimba, or White-winged Wood Duck, Cairina scutulata is a species of duck, usually placed in the genus Cairina and allied with the dabbling ducks. Large, length in 66 cm to 81 cm and dark coloured with contrasting whitish head and upper neck. Males have mostly dull yellowish bill, blackish mottling on head and upper neck, white lesser and median coverts and inner edges of tertials and bluish-grey secondaries. In flight, white wing-coverts contrast with the rest of the wings. Females are smaller and usually have more densely mottled head and upper neck. Juvenile is duller and browner.

Historically, the White-winged Wood Duck was widely distributed from north-east India and Bangladesh, through South East Asia to Java and Sumatra. However, in 2002 it had a population of only 800, with about 200 in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, 150 on Sumatra, notably in Way Kambas National Park and 450 in India, Bangladesh and Burma.

This forest duck is listed as Endangered because it has a very small and fragmented population which is undergoing a very rapid and continuing decline as a result of loss and disturbance to their habitats. Also this duck is hunted for eggs, pets and food.
Belibis

Itik gunung, part 3 of 5 duck stamp series.

Itik Gunung or Salvadorina waigiuensis is small duck, 43 cm in length, unobtrusive, shy and perhaps nocturnal habits. The other specific distinctive, they has dark brown head, body barred and spotted dark brown and off-white, yellow bill. It is omnivorous, feeding by dabbling and diving. The Salvadori's Teal is the sole endemic duck species of mountains of New Guinea (Papua, formerly Irian Jaya, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) The population has been variously estimated to be 2,500-20,000 birds and stable or slowly declining. The IUCN has listed the bird as vulnerable.

Belibis Totol, part 2 of 5 duck stamp series.

Belibis Totol, or Spotted Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna guttata is a member of the duck family Anatidae.This duck is known for its ability to swim underwater for long periods of time. This species has a very large range. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern

Boha Wasur, part 1 of 5 duck stamp series.

Boha Wasur, or Anseranas semipalmata, known as Magpie Goose is a waterbird species found in coastal northern Australia and savannah in southern New Guinea. The population estimate is 1,000,000 numbers, a very large range to the Vulnerable consideration, that why the species is evaluated as Least Concern status.

This species is unmistakable bird with the black-white plumage and yellowish legs. They feed vegetable in wetland.

Males are larger than females and have a loud honking voice. Their habitat is a variety of open wetland areas such as floodplains and swamps. They are colonial breeders and are gregarious outside of the breeding season when they can form large and noisy flocks of up to a few thousand individuals. This species is polygamous birds.

Visyan Spotted Deer of Philippine.

Visayan Spotted Deer or Cervus rusa alfredi, also known as the Philippine Spotted Deer, is a nocturnal and endangered species of deer located primarily in the rainforests of the Visayan islands of Panay and Negros though it once roamed other islands. It is one of three endemic deer species in the Philippines.

The deer is small and short-legged. It is the largest endemic species of deer among the Visayas. Adults range from 125 to 130 cm long, 70 - 80 cm in height and 25 - 80 kg in weight. The distinctive character are "A" pattern of beige spots which dot its deep brown back and sides, cream underparts and white fur on the chin and lower lip. The animal's head and neck are brown, but lighter than the body, and the eyes are ringed with paler fur. Males are larger than females and have short, thick, bumpy antlers. The diet of the deer, which consists of a variety of different types of grasses, leaves, and buds within the forest, is the primary indicator of its habitat.

This species is fully protected under Philippine law. Hunting and forest clearances as a result of logging activities and agricultural conversion are thought to be the causes of a devastating drop in the numbers of the deer. An estimated 2,500 mature individuals survived worldwide as of 1996, according to the IUCN.

Papilio Schmeltzii Swallowtail - Fiji

Schmeltzi's Swallowtail, is Fiji's largest butterfly and is one of some 44 species of butterfly that inhabit Fiji.

The caterpillar or larva molt several times as they grow.It was depicted on (85c) value of stamp.They feed on poisonous plants and are toxic themselves and will actually advertise their presence by being brightly colored. Predator recognize these colors and will not touch them.

The pupa stage is when the most dramatic changes happen and metamorphosis is taking place. It is the most vulnerable stage so mimicry is highly developed. Chrysalis will look like an emerging bud or fruit or like a dead leaf. Butterfly support itself by a silk threat that is spun by the larva before it pupates. It will remain in this form for weeks. It is all shown on ($3) value of stamp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The newly emerged adult butterfly from its chrysalis is called metamorphosis. This process has been depicted on (58c) value of stamp. It will take 20 minute for the wing to unfold and will take up to 1 hour for the wing to be harden before its attempt to fly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stamp with $1.41 value, depicted adult butterfly that has function to mate and perpetuate the species. Figure on stamp shown butterfly feeding nectar of a flower.

Beetles of Indonesia

Batocera rosenbergi, is a species found in Ruteng, at height of 1,300 ASL. The charateristics is the body size up to 7 cm. They feeds on parts of plant such as leaf, blossom or tree bark.Stamp value is 1,000.

Chalcosoma caucasus, is a very gigantic size up to 10 cm. This is the largest beetle in the world. They live at height at 1,700 m ASL. In nature, they feed on topmost of tree of palmae included coconut and sugar palm. Stamp value is 2,000.

Chrysochroa buqueti, is a species scattered throughout Java Island, and has size up to 5 cm. Stamp value is 1,000.

Agestrata dehaan, is largest member flower beetle group, shaped in pentagonal with diameter more than 2 cm and has beautiful green shine colour. Stamp value is 800.

Mormolyce phyllodes, is species which wide spread throughout Java, Sumatera,and Kalimantan. The body of beetle is covered by widen elytra as guitar shaped. It is brown thick body in size of 5 cm. Stamp value is 900.

Endangered bird of fiji, Re-throated Lorikeet.

Red-throated Lorikeet or Charmosyna amabilis , has 18 cm long and entirely green but for red cheeks, throat and thighs. Red throat bordered with yellow. Mustard-yellow undertail and tail tips.High-pitched squeaks uttered whilst feeding or in flight.
This species qualifies as Critically Endangered lorikeet because a tiny population which is continuing to decline as a result of predation from introduced rats and loss of habitat. It is endemic to Fiji and found in the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. Population estimated is less than 50 .

This last stamp of endanger bird series of Fiji which collaborated with Bird Life International.

Endangered bird of Fiji, Pink-billed parrotfinch

Pink-billed Parrotfinch , Erythrura kleinschmidti ,is approximately 11 cm long, robust, greenish finch with outsized bill . The species has olive-green with black face, bluish crown and nape and red rump. This species is restricted to a single subpopulation on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji and qualifies as Vulnerable because recent surveys have shown that even though it has a larger population than previously estimated, the population is still small, and declining owing to habitat loss. The population estimated between 2,500-9,999. It is mainly found in mature, wet forest up to 1,000 m, sometimes found in secondary scrub and plantations.

To be continue in next of last species.

Engangered Birds of Fiji, Silktail

Silktail, Lamprolia victoriae is a small black bird 12cm with rounded long wings, iridescent metallic blue crown and breast, silky white lower-back patch and white rounded pattern of short tail. The Silktail is endemic to forests of Taveuni and Vanua Levu islands of Fiji. 12 cm. This species is classified as Near Threatened because it has a moderately small population within a very small range, and numbers are declining owing to losses of mature forest through continuing logging, plantation establishment and clearing for agriculture. Population estimated between 16,000 - 28,000.

To be continue in next species of bird.

Endangered birds from Fiji, Long legged Warbler

Long legged warbler, or Trichocichla rufa have characteristic are 17 cm in length with a long-tailed secretive warbler of the forest floor. Upperparts rather warm brown with a distinct long fine silvery supercilium. White throat contrast with buffy-rufous breast-sides and flanks, fading into an off-white belly. Fairly long bluish legs, and medium-short black bill.This species is endemic Viti Levu and Vanua Levu on Fiji. This species was recently rediscovered and has been listed as Endangered because it is estimated to have a very small population, approximately 50 – 249.

To be continue in the next issue.

Mushrooms of the world on the stamps of Tanzania

The eight species of fungi have depicted on the Tanzania's miniature sheet of stamps described in the following:

Coprinus comatus

Coprinus comatus, the shaggy ink cap, lawyer's wig, or shaggy mane, is a common fungus often seen growing on lawns, along gravel roads and waste areas. It occurs widely in grasslands and meadows in Europe and North America. It appears to have been introduced to Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.

The young fruiting bodies first appear as white cylinders emerging from the ground, then the bell-shaped caps open out. The cap is mostly white with shaggy scales, which are more pale brown at the apex. The gills beneath the cap are white, then pink, then turn black and secrete a black liquid filled with spores . The stipe has a loose ring and measures 10-37 cm high by 1-2.5 cm diameter. The flesh is white and the taste mild.

When young it is an excellent edible mushroom provided that it is eaten soon after being collected. The species is cultivated in China as food.

Amanita vaginata

Amanita vaginata, commonly known as the grisette, is an edible mushroom in the Amanitaceae family of fungi. The cap is gray or brownish, 5 to 10 centimetres in diameter, gray to grayish-brown in color. The gills are white, free. The flesh is white and thin, and does not change color upon bruising or injury. The stem is 8 to 22 centimetres long and 1 to 2 centimetres thick. The stem surface is covered with a finely powdered bloom (pruinose), especially near the top; faint longitudinal lines may be seen. The spore print is white.

As a mycorrhizal species, Amanita vaginata grows singly or numerous in both coniferous and hardwood forests.

This species is widely distributed in North America. It is also found in the Azores, Australia, and Scotland.

Although not poisonous, it is to be careful against consumption due to the possibility of mistaking it for other poisonous species of Amanita.

Clitocybe Geotropa

Clitocybe Geotropa is the one species of the genus Clitocybe. Hundreds of species of mushrooms compose the fungus genus Clitocybe. They are characterized by white, off-white, buff, cream, pink, or light-yellow spores, gills running down the stem, and pale white to brown or lilac coloration. They are primarily saprotrophic, decomposing forest ground litter.

A few members of the genus are considered edible; many others are poisonous, containing the toxin muscarine among others. Therefore, with the exception of a few charismatic and readily identified members, Clitocybe mushrooms are rarely collected for consumption.

Cortinarius violaceus

Cortinarius violaceus is a mushroom in the genus Cortinarius. It can be found in North America, where it grows primarily in coniferous woodland, and in Europe, where it favours hardwoods. However, it is comparatively rare on both continents. The mushroom grows solitarily or in small groups, often near rotting wood.

Mycological characteristics : gills on hymenium, cap is convex or flat cap of 3.5 to 15 centimetres across with an incurved margin, cap’s color in a dark violet to blue-black, the stem is 6 to 12 centimetres tall, while 1 to 2 centimetres thick, hymenium is adenate, stipe is bare, spore print is reddish-brown, ecology is mycorrhizal, edibility: edible, but is not choice. The flesh of C. violaceus has a mild taste, with a slight smell reminiscent of cedar-wood.

Russula sardonia

Russula sardonia, known as the The primrose brittlegill, is a mushroom of the Russula genus, which are commonly known as Brittle Gills. The fruiting body, or mushroom, is a reddish-purple, the colour of blackberry juice, and is found in coniferous woodland in summer and autumn, across Britain and Nothern Europe. Mycological characteristics : gills on hymenium, cap is convex or depressed and grows to 10 cm in diameter, colour of cap commonly purplish- red, stem is white and 3-8 cm in tall, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, hymenium is adnexed, stipe has a bare, spore print is cream, edibility: inedible, poisonous

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Cortinarius collinitus

Cortinarius collinitus is a species of fungi in the family Cortinairiaceae.

Mycological characteristics : gills on hymenium, cap is convex, hymenium is adnexed, stipe has a Cortina,spore print is reddishbrown, ecology is mycorrhizal, edibility: unknown.

The cap is 3–9 cm in diameter, convex to flat in shape, with a sticky, gelatinous surface (in moist conditions). The gills are adnexed, close, and pallid or pale violet in color. The stipe is typically 6–12 cm long and 1–1.5 cm thick, solid, equal, and has transverse scaly-looking bands.

Boletus aereus

Boletus aereus is a bolete, an edible mushroom frequently consumed in the Basque Country and Italy. It is commonly known as ontto beltza in Basque, porcino nero in Italian, and tête de nègre (negro’s head) in French.

The height of this boletus is 15–20 cm, broad at maturity. The cap is dark brown and the ringless stalk is 6–10 cm high, usually shorter than the cap diameter. The mushroom has tubes and pores, instead of gills beneath its cap. The pores are greyish white when young, then become yellow.

Boletus aereus is found mainly in central and southern Europe, being rare in colder climes such as England. Mushrooms are found in summer and autumn.

Lepiota

Lepiota is a genus of gilled mushrooms, in the order Agaricales. Though they have white spores, they are related to the familiar brown spored mushrooms of the genus Agaricus. They typically have rings on the stems, which in larger species are detachable and glide up and down the stem. The cap usually has scales: the colours of the cap, gills and scales are important in determining the exact species, as is sometimes the smell. This is a genus to be avoided as several species contain amanitins and are highly toxic.

Oriental Magpie Robin on Macau stamp

The species as depicted on Macau stamp is Copsychus saularis or known as Oriental Magpie Robin. It is a small passerine bird that was classed as a member of the family Old World flycatcher.They are particularly well known for their songs and were once popular as cagebirds.

This species is 19cm long, including the long tail that is usually held cocked upright. The male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch. The underparts and the sides of the long tail are white. Females are greyish black above and greyish white.

Distribution, habitat and feeding:

This magpie-robin is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Bangladesh, interior India, Sri Lanka and eastern Pakistan east to Indonesia, Thailand, south China and the Philippines.

Their habitat in open woodland, cultivated areas often close to human habitations. It is mostly seen close to the ground, hopping along branches or foraging in leaf-litter on the ground with cocked tail.

Males sing loudly from the top of trees or other perch during the breeding season.
Magpie Robins have a delightful varied song and are said to be able to imitate the calls of other birds. They are sprightly and lively, often cocking their long tails. They are easy to spot as they are not shy and sing from exposed perches. Sometimes, they may abruptly sing in at night!

The food of Magpie Robins is mainly insects and other invertebrates. They are known to occasionally take geckos, leeches, centipedes and even fish.

Status:

This species is considered as one of "little concern" globally but in some areas the species is on the decline. Magpie Robins were widely kept as cagebirds for their singing abilities. They continue to be in the pet trade in parts of Southeast Asia.

Bird life of Indonesia (Sumatera Island)

The species are depicted on the Bird Life International series of Indonesia, Julang Jambul Hitam, Luntur Kasumba, Mentok Rimba, Cekakak Hutan Melayu, Kuau Raja and Bangau Storm. All specieses as " Puspa Hutan Sumatra" are found in Sumatera Island.

Julang Jambul Hitam (Aceros corrugatus)

The Aceros corrugatus is a medium-large hornbill which is found in forest in the Sundaic lowlands of peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (formerly), Kalimantan and Sumatra (including the Batu Islands), Indonesia and Brunei. Also well known as Wrinkled Hornbill or Sunda Wrinkled Hornbill

The Wrinkled Hornbill is around 70 cm long, and has a very large bill that is fused to the skull. It has mainly black plumage, a blue eye-ring, and a broadly white or rufous-tipped tail. The male and female have different head and bill patterns. Males have bright yellow feathers on the auriculars, cheeks, throat, neck-sides and chest, but these areas are black in the female, except for the blue throat. The bill of the male is yellow with a red base and casque, and a brownish basal half of the lower mandible. The bill and casque of the female is almost entirely yellow.
This is a forest species and eats mainly fruit, such as figs, although it will also eat small animals such as frogs and insects. Wrinkled Hornbills do not drink, but get the water they need from their food.

These birds are monogamous and remain in a pair for life. This species occurs in primary evergreen and swamp forests, up to 1,000 m. Due to high rates of deforestation in primary forests, it is cause to decline their population moderately rapidly. Hence this species should be carefully monitored as Near Threatened Bird.

Luntur Kasumba

The Luntur Kasumba (Harpactes kasumba) , also known as Red-naped Trogon is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Mentok Rimba

The Mentok Rimba or Cairina scutulata , also known as White-winged Wood Duck is a species of duck, usually placed in the genus Cairina and allied with the dabbling ducks.

Historically, the White-winged Wood Duck was widely distributed from north-east India and Bangladesh, through South East Asia to Java and Sumatra. However, in 2002 it had a population of only 800, with about 200 in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, 150 on Sumatra, notably in Way Kambas National Park and 450 in India, Bangladesh and Burma.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, and because this duck is hunted for eggs, pets and food, the White-winged Duck is evaluated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Cekakak Hutan Melayu

The Cekakak Hutan Melayu (Actenoides concretus), also known as Rufous-collared Kingfisher is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Kuau Raja

The Kuau Raja or Argusianus argus (also known as Great Argus , Phoenix in some Asian areas) is a brown-plumaged pheasant with a small blue head and neck, rufous red upper breast, black hair-like feathers on crown and nape, and red legs. The male is among the largest of all pheasants, with up to 200cm in length. It has very long tail feathers. The male's most spectacular features are its huge, broad and greatly elongated secondary wing feathers decorated with large ocelli. The female is smaller and duller than male, with shorter tails and less ocelli.

The Kuau Raja is distributed in the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia. Due to ongoing habitat loss and hunted in some areas, the Great Argus is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Population estimate are 100,000 numbers with trend decreasing in range estimate of 1,900,000 km2.

Their habitat in tall, dry, lowland primary and logged forests, mainly below 900 m, but can be up to 1,300 m. It is much sparser in deciduous forest and rare to absent from lowland peat swamp and white-sand heath forests.The Great Argus is thought to be polygamous in the wild, it is actually monogamous.

Bangau Storm

The Bangau storm or Ciconia stormi, also well known as Stom’s Stork is a large, approximately 91 centimetres (36 in) long, stork with black and white plumages, red bill, orange bare facial skin, red legs and yellow orbital skin. Both sexes are similar. The young has duller plumage and bare skin.

This species is found in undisturbed forest and freshwater habitats in Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, Borneo and peninsular Malaysia. The world population of the Storm's Stork is less than 500 individuals.

The Bangau Storm is a solitary bird, but is occasionally found in small groups. Its diet consists mainly of fish. It occurs at low densities in large, undisturbed blocks of level lowland forest, particularly freshwater and peat-swamp forests, on the floodplains of large rivers. Due to ongoing habitat loss, very small population size, limited range and overhunting in some areas, the Storm's Stork is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.