The 2019 theme is national birds and the magnificent white-tailed eagle, the provincial bird of Åland, spreads its wide wings on the Åland Europa stamp.
With a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters, the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is an impressively large bird of prey. Breeding in all parts of Åland, the densest population of white-tailed eagles is found in Föglö in the Åland archipelago.
As an endangered species in Åland, neither the eagles nor their habitats may be harmed or infringed upon without special permission of the provincial government. The white-tailed eagle was close to extinction in the 1970s due to environmental toxins but, today, the population has recovered well in Åland, conservation officer Hanna Kondelin informs. The latest stocktake in 2018 found 123 eyries and 95 fledglings. The fact that 5 white-tailed eagles were spotted with avian flu in 2017 should not influence the general population in the province, Hanna estimates. A few lead poisoned birds are found every year but, in general, the white- tailed eagle is a fine symbol of successful nature conservation.
Swedish artist Lars Sjööblom has created the stamp design, which is based on a photo shot by Anders Blomdahl.
