Europa - Birds

Each year the members of the Association of European Postal Operators (PostEurop) issue stamps on a common theme to present the identical values of their countries. The “EUROPA stamp” is still one of the most popularthemes for collectors, and issues bearing the official logo are among the most sought-after new stamps. In 2019 the member countries are presenting the theme of national birds on their stamps. The Hungarian miniature sheet consisting of two pairs of stamps was designed by thegraphic artist Ágnes Berta of which 40,000 copies wereproduced by the banknote printing companyPénzjegynyomda Zrt.

The Hungarian stamps depict two specially protected gregarious, migrant bird species. The white stork is a well known bird that can be observed in or around almost all settlements. It flies to Africa in winter, covering several thousand kilometres, and reappears in the Capathian Basin at the end of March. The great egret primarily nests in reed beds and floodplain forests. It is a large, gregarious wader.

On the frame of the miniature sheet there are a few other bird species characteristic of Hungary: the saker falcon, swallow and great bustard. The first day cover again shows the white stork and the great egret, while the swallow reappears in the special postmark.