Taiwan Birds (II) FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Birds of Taiwan (2nd Series)
Date of Issue: 30 January 2008
Number: Def. 128 (II)

After issuing the first of the "Birds of Taiwan" definitive stamp series on November 3, 2007, Taiwan Post followed up with a second set of four stamps, featuring Dicrurus aeneus, Lanius schach, Dendrocitta formosae and Pycnonotus sinensis.

Designs:
NT$1.00: Dicrurus aeneus
A subspecies endemic to Taiwan, the bird is about 23 centimeters in length. Its whole body is covered in black plumage with a blue metallic sheen. Its tail is fairly long and forked like a fishtail.

NT$2.50: Lanius schach
This common resident bird, about 25 centimeters in length, is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan. It is bluish gray from the crown to the upper back, and its fairly wide black eyeline that extends from its forehead to its nape gives it the appearance of wearing a black mask. Its scapular is reddish brown, and its black flight feathers have a lighter edge. Its throat, breast, and belly are white; its undertail coverts are reddish brown; and its tail feathers are black.

NT$10.00: Dendrocitta formosae
This common resident bird, about 34 centimeters in length, is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan. The coloration of the bird is largely black, gray and brown. Its black hooked beak is thick and powerful and slightly bents downward. Its forehead and cheeks are black and its crown and nape are grayish black. Its wings are black with white wing patches. Its back and breast are chestnut colored and its belly pale gray. Its tail is long and black with gray uppertail coverts and orange brown undertail coverts.

NT$32.00: Pycnonotus sinensis
This common resident bird, about 18 centimeters in length, is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan. It is mostly yellow-green in color. Its forehead and nape are black and its crown white. There is a round white patch on each of its cheeks. The areas from its lores to its ear coverts and cheeks are brownish black. Its upper breast is pale grayish brown, its back, uppertail coverts and marginal coverts are gray with a touch of yellow green. Its breast and belly are pale gray. Its wings and tail feathers are olive yellow.

Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (I)
Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (II)
Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (III)
Taiwan "Birds of Taiwan" FDC (IV)