Australia 2005 Australian Parrots
From Stamps of the World
- Issue date: 8 February 2005
- five values, in both gummed and self-adhesive format
- Designed by: Kevin Stead
- Printed by: SNP Sprint
- Print process: lithography
- Stamp size 37.5mm x 26mm
Description[edit]
Australia's colourful parrots are among our most beautiful and spectacular birds. Of around 370 species of parrot worldwide, 55 (including cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas and parrots) are found in Australia, and constitute a significant proportion of the country's approximately 50 bird species.
Parrots can be found in many habitats, from tropical rain forests to the desert, and from the mountains to the coast. They belong to the group of birds known as Psittaciformes. Two physical features set them apart from many other birds: a short, deep, down-curved bill; and the arrangement of their toes with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward.
Stamps[edit]
Sheet Stamps[edit]
- Perforations: 14.5 x 13.75
- Format: sheets of 50
50c Princess Parrot Stamp[edit]
The Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) is widely but erratically distributed across the arid mulga and spinifex scrubs of interior northern Australia.
50c Rainbow Lorikeet Stamp[edit]
The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) is widespread in eastern Australia from the tip of Cape York Peninsula, south to Melbourne, and west to Adelaide.
50c Green Rosella Stamp[edit]
The Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) is found only in Tasmania and the islands of the Bass Strait where it is at home in most wooded areas up to 1,500 metres and suburban gardens.
50c Red-capped Parrot Stamp[edit]
The Red-capped Parrot (Purpureicephalus spurius) is confined to the south-western corner of the Australian continent, its distribution is closely associated with the Marri, a species of eucalypt.
50c Purple-crowned Lorikeet Stamp[edit]
The Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrochephala) is strongly nomadic and found in a variety of habitats across southern Australia from around Perth to the Mallacoota region of Victoria.
Se-tenant Strip[edit]
Gutter Strip[edit]
Self-Adhesive Stamps[edit]
- Perforations: die cut 12 x 11.5 syncopated
- Format: coils of 100
Single Stamps[edit]
Coil Strip of 5[edit]
First Day Cover[edit]
The first day of issue postmark was Rainbow Beach QLD 4581.
Sheetlet[edit]
- Issue date: 1 November 2005
- Format: 50c x 5 designs plus 4 labels
Available only in the 2005 Year Book of Australian Stamps.
