South African Stamps_Sea and Coastal Birds of South Africa

Sea and Coastal Birds of South Africa

Stamp issue date: 3 August 2009
Artwork: Tobie Beele
Stamp size: 28.74mm x 37.5mm
Stamp sheet size: 164mm x 129mm
Paper: 104gsm Tullis Russell Non phosphor coated gum stamp paper
Gum: PVA tasteless tropical water soluble gum
Quantity printed: 200,000
Colour: CMYK
Phosphor: 4 mm in L shape, on left and bottom of stamp.
Printing process: Offset Lithography
Printed by: Southern Colour Print, New Zealand

South Africa is a bird-watcher’s paradise. The diversity of our geophysical regions, ranging from tropical coasts to arid deserts, is reflected in the diversity and beauty of our bird life. An estimated 900 bird species occur in Southern Africa. No less than 113 of these are endemic to the southern African region. In addition to the large variety of land birds, Southern Africa’s coasts boast an abundance of coastal and seabirds, many of which are visitors from foreign shores. However, the sea and coastal birds featured on this set of five stamps are all well known residents. Some of them are endemic and most occur abundantly along our spectacular coastline.

The coastal and seabirds featured on this set of stamps are the Blackbacked seagull, Cape cormorant, Cape gannet, Jackass penguin and Black oystercatcher.
The stamps were designed by Tobie Beele, who collaborated with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) on the choice of birds. SANCCOB is a non-profit sea-bird rehabilitation centre based in Cape Town. It aims to conserve and protect South Africa’s sea birds, especially threatened species, for the benefit of present and future generations.
The centre has treated more than 83 000 sea birds throughout the last 37 years. Without SANCCOB many of South Africa’s coastal birds would be on the endangered list.

Blackbacked seagull (Larus dominicanus)
As its name indicates, this seagull has a distinctive black back. Adult birds have dark eyes and whitish-yellow feet and measure about 60 cm. Younger birds are initially mottled brown all over.
The blackbacked seagull is a very common resident of Southern Africa, which means it occurs abundantly and breeds in Southern Africa. It is found all along the Southern African coast, from Namibia right through to Mozambique. The birds scavenge along coasts individually or in small groups, especially in harbours. They are rarely found inland.

Cape cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis)
The Cape cormorant is an abundant resident of Southern Africa’s shores. Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, they are found mainly in winter from April to August. Breeding adults are recognised by their glossy green-black plumage and orange-yellow bill-base. They measure about 64 cm. Non-breeding and immature birds are dusky brown with a paler belly.
Single birds and flocks, sometimes consisting of thousands of birds, are found in coastal waters roosting on offshore islands. They often fly in long lines over the sea and fish in flocks.

Cape gannet (Morus capensis)
This large black-and-white seabird with its distinctive yellow head and neck, is endemic to Southern Africa, which means it is found here and nowhere else. It has characteristic black lines on the bill and face, as well as a long black line down the centre of the throat. Its tail is normally black. Immature birds are initially dark all over with white spots. Mature Cape gannets measure between 84 and 94 cm.
They are found all along the southern African coastline from Namibia to Mozambique.
As individuals or in flocks, they occur offshore over fish shoals where they plunge-dive repeatedly to catch their prey. At night they roost in colonies on offshore islands or at sea.

Jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus)
The Jackass penguin, also known as the African penguin, is the only penguin species which breeds in Africa, and it is found nowhere else in the world. The name Jackass penguin is derived from its call, which is a donkey-like braying, heard mostly at night.
It has a black back and a white belly with a distinctive black chin and face patch separated from the crown by a broad white band. It has a narrow black band across the chest and down the flanks towards the legs. Adults measures about 60cm in length, and weigh between 2,4 and 3,6 kg.
Jackass penguins live in colonies and their breeding range extends from Hollamsbird Island, off central Namibia, to Bird Island in Algoa Bay.

Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani)
The African Black oystercatcher is a common resident and endemic to Southern Africa. It is the only black shorebird with a reddish bill, eyes and legs. Immature birds are dark brown.
Black oystercatchers occur individually or in small groups on rocky coastlines, estuaries and coastal lagoons. They measure about 51 cm.

References:
- Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa, Kenneth Newman, Southern Book Publishers, 1983
South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)