19-09-2005
Two new sets of BirdLife International stamps have been issued highlighting the diversity of the Pacific's birds. A number of the species illustrated have never previously featured on a stamp.
Three sheets have been issued from Nauru. ‘Threatened fruit-doves of the Pacific’ includes illustrations of the Mariana Fruit-dove Ptilinopus roseicapilla, Cook Islands Fruit-dove Ptilinopus rarotongensis, Rapa Fruit-dove Ptilinopus huttoni, Atoll Fruit-dove Ptilinopus coralensis, Henderson Fruit-dove Ptilinopus insularis and Whistling Dove Ptilinopus layardi. These globally threatened species face threats from invasive, introduced species (such as snakes and rats), or from the destruction of their forest habitat.
Similar threats, as well as introduced bird diseases such as avian malaria, affect the region’s parrots. Kuhl's Lorikeet Vini kuhlii, Henderson Lorikeet Vini stepheni, Blue Lorikeet Vini peruviana, Ultramarine Lorikeet Vini ultramarina, Crimson Shining-parrot Prosopeia splendens and Masked Shining-parrot Prosopeia personata are shown.
Six species of globally threatened white-eyes (a family of small, insectivorous, warbler-like birds) are also shown. These include Bridled White-eye Zosterops conspicillatus, Rota Bridled White-eye Zosterops rotensis and Samoan White-eye Zosterops samoensis.
"These stamps show the beauty and diversity of landbirds in the Pacific – among the planet's most threatened group of birds." —Ed Parnell, Communications Officer, BirdLife
Three new sets have also been issued by the Solomon Islands, commemorating the islands’ pigeons, parrots and forest birds.
Both sets of stamps are available to purchase online from the Sovereign Stamps (Crown Agents) web site.
http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2005/09/nauru_solomon.html
http://www.freeparrots.net/article.php?story=2005100303181120