The print run of the stamp featuring the common kingfisher is 100,000 copies, and its face value is € 2.14, which corresponds to the postage of letter-post items in the weight class from 21 to 100 grams to the countries located in zone 2. In turn, the print run of the stamp dedicated to the hazel grouse is 50,000 copies, and its face value is € 1.27, making it suitable for sending letter-post items in the weight class from 21 to 100 grams within Latvia. The release of the stamps is accompanied by the issue of two covers featuring both birds, with a print run of 1,000 copies each. The stamps and the covers have been designed by the artist Ģirts Grīva.  

 

The Latvian Ornithological Society has recognised the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) as Bird of the Year 2020 in order to obtain more information about the distribution of this species in the territory of Latvia. The common kingfisher is one of the most vivid birds in Latvia – its wings and the top of its head are dark blue-green with lighter spots, its back is light metallic blue, the plumage on its abdomen is orange, and there are white areas under its chin and on its neck. The common kingfisher can usually be found near waters with steep shores, where it feeds on a daily basis from small fish that it catches in the water with its black and massive beak.

 

The hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) depicted on the other stamp can be found throughout Latvia – it inhabits mixed coniferous and deciduous forests. Hazel grouses are resident birds – not only do they not go to warm countries, but also they do not tend to wander far. The body of these birds is thick-set, the neck is relatively short, the head is small, the tail is short, while the wings are rounded and short, which means that they are not suitable for long flight. The hazel grouse’s plumage colour is camouflage – greyish tawny-brown with white and black feather tips.

 

Taking into consideration that public events, including the first day stamp cancellation at post offices, are currently suspended due to security requirements, stamp collectors and those interested in philately are invited to contact the Stamp and Philately Department of Latvijas Pasts regarding stamp cancellation options by writing to the e-mail address: filatelija@pasts.lv.

 

The series of postage stamps Latvian Birds has been issued since 2010, and it is periodically supplemented with two new stamps at the same time. All stamps released in the Birds series can be viewed here.

 

The new stamps and covers can be seen here. 

 

The next philatelic release is scheduled for the 3^rd of July.

 

 

Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides commercial transport, express mail, payment, press subscription, retail and philatelic services. Latvijas Pasts is a wholly State-owned company with over 3,400 employees. The quality measurements of Latvijas Pasts domestic mail deliveries are regularly conducted by Kantar TNS, one of the leading market, social and media research agencies in Latvia. In turn, the quality measurements of the cross-border deliveries are provided within the framework of the International Post Corporation through the intermediary of the research companies Kantar TNS, Ipsos and Quotas.

 

 

Additional information:

Vineta Danielsone | Senior Public Relations Project Manager

E-mail: pr@pasts.lv, vineta.danielsone@pasts.lv 

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