The yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola), depicted here in a 2026 stamp from Hong Kong, is a critically endangered migratory bird. It has two subspecies, which can be found in Asia and eastern Europe. The main reason for the population decrease is trapping by humans for consumption. During the breeding season, its food consists mainly of invertebrates while at other times it feeds on seeds and other plant material.

 Here is a complete 2022 Chinese set dedicated to pigeon species.

Starting from left to right, the first stamp depicts the hill pigeon (Columba rupestris). It can be found in Asia and it has two subspecies. It feeds on seeds, leaves and occationally snails and other small molluscs.

The snow pigeon (Columba leuconota) is a resident of central Asia and it has two subspecies. It eats seeds, berries, shoots, grain etc.

The common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) has been already discussed.

Finally, the speckled wood pigeon (Columba hodgsonii) is once more found in Asia. It has no subspecies. It feeds on berries, acorns, fruit, cereals and herbs.

 

This 2002 stamp shows two great tits (Parus major), a species that has been discussed in the past.

Thank you Elsa!

This set of four stamps was issued in 2005. The first one depicts a group of horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), which were discussed in a previous post. 

The second stamp shows a pair of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus). This small shorebird can be found in areas of North America, more specifically on the Atlantic coast and on the Great Lakes shores. It is near threatened. It has two subspecies. It feeds on insects, crustaceans and marine worms.

 The third stamp presents a pair of stilt sandpipers (Calidris himantopus), another small shorebird that it is near threatened. It can be found in North, Central and South America as it is migratory. It eats insects and other invertebrates such as molluscs as well as seeds, leaves and roots of aquatic plants.

The final stamp depicts a pair of  willow ptarmigans (Lagopus lagopus), which have been presented in the past.

The depictions on all four stamps are based on drawings by the French-American artist, naturalist and ornithologist John James Audubon (1785-1851).

 I have shown stamps of this 2014 set before. Here is the last of it featuring a pair of Swinhoe's pheasants (Lophura swinhoei). The species has already been described.

Thank you Su Wu!

Being part of the same set, these two stamps were issued in 2021. The stamp to the right shows the saker falcon (Falco cherrug), which has been discussed in the past.

The stamp to the left depicts the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris). It is also known as shore lark and it can be found across the northern hemisphere. It has 42 subspecies. During the summer, males have two tufts of black feathers that look like horns, hence its name. It feeds on invertebrates and plant material. It is listed as of least concern though populations are declining.

Issued in 2025 as part of the Wildlife of Belarus set, the stamp to the left shows a Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) while the stamp to the right features a Eurasian chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs). Both species have already been presented in the past.

Thank you Victor!

The northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) has been discussed in the past. Here it is on a 2026 stamp from Austria.

Issued in 2019, this stamp presents the barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara), a gamebird native to north Africa. It has been introduced to a number of regions including the Canary Islands and Gibraltar, the latter of which is its national bird. It feeds on seeds and insects. It is classified as of least concern.

Both stamps belong to a set issued in 2023 by Singapore. The upper one features the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which has already been discussed.

The lower stamp shows a female (left) and a male (right) knobbed hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix), a vulnerable species native to Indonesia. It feeds mainly on fruits with insects and small vertebrates playing a minor role in its diet. It is threatened by habitat destruction and hunting.

Thank you Heather!

Issued in 2025, the stamp on this cover features the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). This species has been shown numerous times before.

Thank you Vural!

This bird stamp featuring a pair of grey peacock-pheasants (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) was issued in 2013 as a joint issue between Singapore and Vietnam. There are three subspecies. It can be found in areas of Asia and it feeds on seeds, fruits, termites and other invertebrates. The female is smaller than the male, of a darker colour and less ornamented. The species is listed as of least concern.

 Both stamps were issued in 2008.

The stamp to the left features a male and a female long-tailed meadowlark (Leistes loyca). In addition to Argentina, this species can be found in Chile and the Falkland Islands. It has four subspecies. It feeds primarily on insects with fruit playing a minor role in its diet. It is listed as least concern.

The stamp to the right depicts a pair of saffron-cowled blackbirds (Xanthopsar flavus). This endangered bird can be found in north-east Argentina, south Brazil, south Paraguay and Uruguay. It has no subspecies. It feeds mostly on insects and spiders and occationally on small vertebrates and seeds.

Issued by Austria in 2024, the stamp on the above cover illustrates the corn bunting (Emberiza calandra). It can be found in most of Europe and areas of Asia and northern Africa. Individuals living in colder areas migrate southwards for the winter. The rest of the population though is resident. It has two subspecies. The male is slightly larger than the female. It feeds on seeds and insects. Though of least concern in most countries of its range, its status in Britain is red as it has become extinct from Wales. It has also become extinct in Ireland.

 

Issued in 2025, this bird stamp from Uruguay features the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), the largest toucan species in the world. It is endemic to South America and it has two subspecies. It feeds on fleshy fruits, eggs, insects, small vertebrates and the nestlings of other birds. The toco toucan prefers semi-open habitats in contrast to other toucan species. The breeding season differs between regions. Finally, they are hunted by humans for their meat and for the pet trade.

Issued in 2026, this Malaysian stamp features a pair of blue-rumped parrots (Psittinus cyanurus). It can be found in areas of Asia. Contrary to the male, the female has a grey-brown head. It has two subspecies. It feeds on fruit, seeds and blossoms and it is near threatened primarily due to deforestation.

Issued in 2026, these two stamps present the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The species has been described in the past.

Thank you Karl for this lovely cover with three different kinds of postmarks!

Issued by Poland in 2024, the two bird stamps belong to a set of four.

The first stamp depicts the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), which was presented already in a cover from Switzerland.

The second stamp shows a Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). This migratory species is found in Europe, Asia and areas of northern Africa. It has 28 subspecies. It feeds on insects.

Issued in 2025, this stamp depicts the endangered horned guan (Oreophasis derbianus). It can be found in areas of Mexico, Guatemala and maybe Honduras. It feeds on fruits, leaves, flowers and possibly insects. A characteristic feature of the species is the red fleshy 'horn' on its forehead.

Thank you Lando!

Issued in 2026, this stamp from Belarus depicts the Black stork (Ciconia nigra). The species has already been presented.

Thank you Sergei!