Europa - National Birds

Since 1993, PostEurop, the association that represents European public postal operators became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps. For this year postal administrations throughout Europe have issued philatelic stamps depicting 'National Birds' as the common theme.

Malta's two-stamp issue features, the Blue Rock Thrush locally known as 'il-Merill'. This bird was chosen as the national bird of the Maltese Islands in 1970. It is a starling-sized bird, 21-23 cm in length with a long slim bill. The male features a striking blue colour with darker wings and tail - an appealing contrast to the less striking female with its brownish-grey colour. This species lives a solitary life and in Malta it is seen along the cliffs of the western and northern coast and nests in cracks along inaccessible cliffs. Blue Rock Thrushes may live up to 10 years.

The Merill is widely known for its melodious song which is intended to maintain territory or during the mating season between February and May. Females lay some 3 to 6 eggs, and a pair may have up to 2 broods in the same season. Hatchlings are fed insects, small reptiles and sometimes even young birds. For a time, the species was not doing well due to disturbance but now seems to be adjusting to the urbanisation of the Maltese Islands.