On the new stamps for 2012 birds of prey are depicted, which in order of ascending face value are the imperial eagle, the white-tailed eagle, the red-footed falcon and the saker falcon, and in the background there are motifs indicating their habitats. The stamp series, released on 4 May 2012, was designed by the graphic artist Kálmán Székely and 300,000 copies were made by the state printing company Állami Nyomda. The stamp block associated with the series presents the bird of the year 2012, the Common Buzzard, and is due to be issued on 15 June 2012. The imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) nests in uninhabited areas of the North-Central Mountains and the easternmost part of the Transdanubian Central Mountains. In January 2012 there were 230 individuals wintering in Hungary. The main colour of the plumage is dark brown with a light brown head and white patches on the shoulders. It has powerful legs with long talons and its hooked bill has a yellow base and grey tip. In ideal conditions the imperial eagle can live up to 50 years. In Hungary it is specially protected and has a theoretical value of HUF 1,000,000. It was the bird of the year in 2005. The white-tailed eagle or sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) occurs in Hungary all year round and there are between 100 and 150 breeding pairs. In January 2012 there were 530 individuals wintering in Hungary. Juveniles are dark brown, while adults have a yellow beak, white tail feathers and lighter plumage overall. It feeds mainly on fish, supplemented by birds, reptiles and small mammals. In Hungary it is specially protected and has a theoretical value of HUF 1,000,000. The red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) regularly breeds in Hungary. Its flight is fast and easy. It frequently hovers in the same place, holding its body vertically. The red-footed falcon rarely captures its prey in flight, usually catching its quarry on the ground after a rapid dive. It rests on prominent, tall landmarks. In Hungary it is specially protected and has a theoretical value of HUF 500,000. It was the bird of the year, together with the rook, in 2009. The saker falcon (Falco cherrug) regularly breeds in Hungary and played an important role in the mythology of Hungarians in ancient times. It prefers scattered woodland, grassland with some trees or open country. Some saker falcons winter in Hungary, while others migrate south in November. In January 2012 there were 42 individuals wintering in Hungary. Its favourite food is the ground squirrel, which the saker falcon preys on whenever it can. It is a large-bodied type of falcon. In Hungary it is specially protected and has a theoretical value of HUF 1,000,000.
