Product Description

The Songbirds in Snow stamps each features one of four birds:
Golden-Crowned Kinglet,
Cedar Waxwing,
Northern Cardinal,
and the Red-Breasted Nuthatch.

Illustrator Robert Giusti painted the original designs in acrylic on canvas board, depicting each bird perched on a snow-covered branch. He and the art director chose these four birds for their color, attractiveness, and adaptability to the small format of a postage stamp.

Golden-Crowned Kinglet The golden-crowned kinglet is only a little larger than a hummingbird. It can survive nighttime temperatures of 40 degrees below zero. The tiny birds roost in evergreen forests and huddle together in small flocks high up in the branches to help them stay warm.

The cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) gets its name from its favorite winter food, cedar berries, and the red, waxy tips of some of its wing feathers. One of the few North American birds that thrives on a diet of mostly fruits, the cedar waxwing also consumes the winter fruits of juniper, mistletoe, and crabapple.

A spot of bright red against the white of a snowy tree branch signals the presence of a northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), one of winter's most colorful and beautiful birds. Cardinals usually appear in pairs but can gather in small flocks during the winter to forage for food.

The red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), with its distinctive call like a tiny toy horn, prepares well for the season by caching conifer seeds, its preferred winter food. Stashed in cracks and openings in tree bark, the seeds are collected by the bird as it walks headfirst down the trunk.

Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps using original illustrations by Robert Giusti.
Made in the USA

Feature

The United States Postal Service celebrated four birds that brighten cold winter days today by dedicating the Songbirds in Snow Forever stamps set
The Songbirds in Snow collectors catalog features four birds - The Golden Crowned Kinglet, the Cedar Waxwing, the Northern Cardinal and the Red Breasted Nuthatch
Forever stamps will always be valid for first class mail postage even if rates change to any address in US or great to add to any album collection
Available books of 20 easy to use Peel & Stick Self Adhesive. Four stamp designs repeated five times. Issue date August 04 2016
Not only great for postcards, letters, mailing envelopes or collecting but for collectibles, birthday, teachers, occasions, weddings, parties, showers, celebrations and more
Brand : USPS
MPN(PartNumber) : SONGBIRDSINSNOWFOREVER
EAN : 0788536535042
Product Dimensions(LxWxH) : 15x6x1cm ; 23 g
Package Dimensions(LxWxH) : 15x6x1cm ; 23 g