Zoom the image with the mouse
#3222
1998 32c Tropical Birds: Antillean Euphonia
$1.50
Share:
US #3222
1998 Antillean Euphonia
- Part of set of 4 picturing birds native to islands belonging to US
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Tropical Birds
Value: 32¢, First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: July 29, 2998
First Day City: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Quantity Issued: 17,500,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20
Perforations: 11.2
Why the stamp was issued: This stamp is part of a set of four featuring a popular stamp subject – birds. These species are from tropical areas with strong relationships to the US.
About the stamp design: Artist Robert Giusti was the talent behind the illustrations of tropical birds shown on these stamps. The Antillean Euphonia is sitting on a tree branch. Giusti’s paintings had previously been featured on definitive stamps and the 1992 Wild Animals stamps.
Special design details: Each stamp has a microprinted “USPS” included in the design. On this stamp, it can be found along the small portion of the branch under the bird’s tail.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the Pontifica Universidad Catolica Amphitheatre in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Two of the bird species are native to this US territory.
About the Tropical Birds set: This four-stamp se-tenant features tropical birds that are native to the islands belonging to the United States. The Antillean Euphonia resides in the thick mountain forests of Puerto Rico. The Green-throated Carib is also found in Puerto Rico, but along the northeast coast. The Crested Honeycreeper is an endangered species from the rain forests of Maui, and the Cardinal Honeyeater lives on the South Pacific island of Samoa. [Quick overview of the set/other stamps included in it, may link to other stamps/the complete set at the end. General story of the set/other stamps included in it, may link to other stamps/the complete set at the end.]
History these stamps represent: The Antillean euphonia makes its home in tropical Puerto Rico. Because the bird lives in the thick mountain forests of Luquillo, it is very rarely seen by humans. It is a member of the species Thraupinae.
Euphonias are small, colorful birds. Males are mostly black in color, with some violet, blue, or green on the upper parts and throat. The forehead and other spots on the bird’s underside are bright yellow. Female euphonias, less brilliantly colored than the males, are usually dull green and yellow. Euphonias build covered nests, with an opening in the side, in trees and bushes. Sometimes they make nests in tunnels in the ground.
Eggs are incubated by the females alone, and they usually lay four or five at one time. The babies hatch within 12 to 14 days and are fed regurgitated food by both the male and female. Babies remain in the nest for 17 to 24 days, and both parents take special care in keeping the nest clean. It takes about one year for the young to acquire adult plumage.
Euphonias have poorly developed voices and aren’t good singers because they are weak territorial defenders. The birds’ bills and tongues allow them to easily draw nectar from flowers, and they also feed on fruits produced by trees.
US #3222
1998 Antillean Euphonia
- Part of set of 4 picturing birds native to islands belonging to US
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Tropical Birds
Value: 32¢, First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: July 29, 2998
First Day City: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Quantity Issued: 17,500,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20
Perforations: 11.2
Why the stamp was issued: This stamp is part of a set of four featuring a popular stamp subject – birds. These species are from tropical areas with strong relationships to the US.
About the stamp design: Artist Robert Giusti was the talent behind the illustrations of tropical birds shown on these stamps. The Antillean Euphonia is sitting on a tree branch. Giusti’s paintings had previously been featured on definitive stamps and the 1992 Wild Animals stamps.
Special design details: Each stamp has a microprinted “USPS” included in the design. On this stamp, it can be found along the small portion of the branch under the bird’s tail.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the Pontifica Universidad Catolica Amphitheatre in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Two of the bird species are native to this US territory.
About the Tropical Birds set: This four-stamp se-tenant features tropical birds that are native to the islands belonging to the United States. The Antillean Euphonia resides in the thick mountain forests of Puerto Rico. The Green-throated Carib is also found in Puerto Rico, but along the northeast coast. The Crested Honeycreeper is an endangered species from the rain forests of Maui, and the Cardinal Honeyeater lives on the South Pacific island of Samoa. [Quick overview of the set/other stamps included in it, may link to other stamps/the complete set at the end. General story of the set/other stamps included in it, may link to other stamps/the complete set at the end.]
History these stamps represent: The Antillean euphonia makes its home in tropical Puerto Rico. Because the bird lives in the thick mountain forests of Luquillo, it is very rarely seen by humans. It is a member of the species Thraupinae.
Euphonias are small, colorful birds. Males are mostly black in color, with some violet, blue, or green on the upper parts and throat. The forehead and other spots on the bird’s underside are bright yellow. Female euphonias, less brilliantly colored than the males, are usually dull green and yellow. Euphonias build covered nests, with an opening in the side, in trees and bushes. Sometimes they make nests in tunnels in the ground.
Eggs are incubated by the females alone, and they usually lay four or five at one time. The babies hatch within 12 to 14 days and are fed regurgitated food by both the male and female. Babies remain in the nest for 17 to 24 days, and both parents take special care in keeping the nest clean. It takes about one year for the young to acquire adult plumage.
Euphonias have poorly developed voices and aren’t good singers because they are weak territorial defenders. The birds’ bills and tongues allow them to easily draw nectar from flowers, and they also feed on fruits produced by trees.
Related Items
Save Up To 6%
Most Orders Ship
within 1 Business Day
90 Day Return Policy
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Earn Reward Points
for FREE Stamps & More