2009, December 28. Philippine Birds - Definitives (Reprints 2009B)
Litho Offset. Amstar Company, Inc. Perf. 13.5
Singles; Se-tenant Blocks of 4 (25 blocks per sheet), Sheets of 100 (10 x 10)
10p Blue-Crowned Racquet-Tail - Singles (1,000,000)
Note: Issued in March 2009, reprinted in September with "2009A".
Se-tenant Blocks of Four (287,500)
26p - Philippine Tailorbird
26p - Mountain Tailordbird
26p - Black-Headed Tailorbird
26p - Ashy Tailorbird
Note: Issued in May 2009, reprinted in August with "2009A".
Design: All pictures taken from the book "A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines" by Robert S. Kennedy, Pedro C. Gonzales, Edward C. Dickinson, Hector C. Miranda, Jr., and Timothy H. Fisher.
First Day Covers: Manila
Blue-headed Racquet-tail, Prioniturus discurus is a parrot found on all the larger islands of the Philippines not starting with "P" (i.e., not Palawan or Panay). It is 27cm, basically green with a blue crown, bluish undertail, whitish beak, and dark underwings with green coverts. The Blue-headed Racquet-tail (P. platenae) was formerly included in this species. There are three or four subspecies: (1) P. d. discurus: Jolo, Mindanao, Olutanga, Basiilan, Guimara, Luzon; (2) P. d. whiteheadi: Negros, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Cebu. Less blue on crown; (3) P. d. nesophilus: Tablas, Sibuyan, Catanduanes. Still less blue. May be part of P.d. whiteheadi; (4) P. d. mindorensis: Mindoro. Green forehead, hindcrown shades to violet. It inhabits humid forests, mangroves, and cultivated areas up to 1750m. Small flocks of 5-12, but more gather at fruit trees. Eats fruit, berries, nuts and seeds. Widespread but threatened by habitat destruction and trapping. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-crowned_Racquet-tail
26p Philippine Tailorbird (Orthotomus castaneiceps). A species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family. It is found only in the Philippines. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.
26p Mountain Tailorbird (Orthotomus cuculatus). A species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. Very common montane species but fast moving bird. Seen frequently at the park in pairs. Often part of bird waves.
26p Black-headed Tailorbird (Orthotomus nigriceps). A songbird species in the family Cisticolidae. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage. Endemic to Mindanao, secretive and hard to see. All black head with white eyebrow. White-throat in female. It is found only in the Philippines.
26p Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps). A species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. Ashy Tailorbirds eat insects. They are very common in mangroves, energetically foraging in the lower understorey; moving and calling constantly.
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