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Saturday 2 November 2019

Post Aruba emits a new set of stamps entitled “Feathers 2019”

ORANJESTAD — Post Aruba emits a casion to locate prey from a high
new set of stamps entitled “Feath- perch and they use their talons to
ers 2019”. The set consists of four catch their prey, such as large in-
(4) stamps namely 90c, 130c, 320c sects in the air.
and 420c, for a total amount of They are often found sitting close
Afl.9,60. The first-day-envelope to the nest entrance, winking com-
costs Afl. 11,35. ically at any intruder and bobbing
The stamps are designed by Mr. up and down, bending their long
Eduardo Valbuena, and are print- legs. Finally they will fly away and
ed by the Johan Enschedé Security find a safer place on top of a cac-
Print. tus or large boulder.
The Burrowing Owls are very vocal,
90 cents: Kinikini and have a wide range of differ-
American kestrel (Falco sparveri- ent calls. They make a tremulous
us) chuckling or chattering call.
The American Kestrel is the smallest The Shoco can be found among
and most common falcon in North ish top of the head and an obvi- territory. The nesting site is usually the gigantic boulders of diorite,
America. It has a roughly two-to- ous black 'moustache' that con- in a cabbage palm tree, and the characteristic for parts of Aruba.
one range in size over subspe- trasts with its white face. Its breast nest is a bulky structure made with They live on the ground in between
cies and sex, varying in size from is finely barred. It is swift and agile slender vines and sticks. The breed- and underneath the stones.
about the weight of a blue jay to a in flight, chasing prey. They pre- ing season for Caracaras is from The Shoco also live in Arikok Nacio-
mourning dove. fer wide-open spaces, and thrive January to March, and the usual nal Park. They can be found along-
In addition to requiring open space near coasts where shorebirds are clutch being two or three eggs. side a mostly dry riverbed and in
for hunting, American Kestrels common, but they can be found Incubation is about 32 days, and the tonalite area in the southern
need perches for hunting from, everywhere from tundra to deserts. the young do not leave the nest and western part of the park. Not
cavities for nesting (either natural Juveniles are heavily marked, with until they are at least eight weeks only is the Shoco found in the coun-
or man-made), and a sufficient vertical streaks instead of horizon- old. The family of Caracaras can tryside, but also amongst people
food supply. tal bars on the breast. be observed together for at least within highly developed areas.
Both sexes have a rufous back Their typical prey items include three months after the young Aruban Burrowing Owl’s popula-
with noticeable barring. Its plum- shorebirds, small ducks, grebes, fledge. There is usually only one tion has greatly diminished and is
age is colorful and attractive, and gulls, pigeons, bats and songbirds. brood, but two are not unusual. now endangered, with estimates
juveniles are similar in plumage to They occasionally steal prey, in- of less than 200 pairs remaining.
adults. cluding fish and rodents, from oth- 420 cents:Shoco Threats include over-development
The American kestrel usually hunts er raptors. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia and the invasive boa constrictor.
in energy-conserving fashion by Length: 39-50 cm, Wingspan: 95- arubensis) Efforts are being made to ensure
perching and scanning the ground 115 cm, Weight: 600-1300 g This small ground-dwelling Owl (20 that it does not go extinct.
for prey to ambush, though it also Juveniles are heavily marked, with cm) also called “Shoco” is endem- The ‘Shoco’ was made one of Aru-
hunts from the air. It sometimes hov- vertical streaks instead of horizon- ic for Aruba. This small, pale buff- ba’s National Symbols on February
ers in the air with rapid wing beats tal bars on the breast. ish-colored owl with lighter spots is 2012. It also appears on Aruba’s
while homing in on prey. Its diet unmistakable because of its large Postal Stamps and Currency.
typically consists of grasshoppers 320 cents: Warawara round yellow eyes, prominent The year 2012 was declared to be
and other insects, lizards, mice, Crested Caracara (Caracara white eyebrows, long legs, short the year of the ‘Shoco’ and for the
and small birds (e.g. sparrows). This cheriway) stubby tail, and a flat facial disc Aruban Burrowing Owl to be nomi-
broad diet has contributed to its The crested caracara is about the typical of the owl family and lacks nated as Aruba’s National Bird. The
wide success as a species. It nests same size as an osprey, but it has ear tufts.They use their remarkably island’s terrestrial protected area,
in cavities in trees, cliffs, buildings, shorter wings. It has a length of ap- long legs to dig burrows (up to a Parke Nacional Arikok, is also an
and other structures. The female proximately 53 to 58 centimeters, length of 4 meters! ) for nesting and important refuge where the popu-
lays three to seven eggs, which with a wingspan of approximate- sleeping. Although they are expert lation can recover and the staff is
both sexes help to incubate. ly 1.2 meters. Caracaras can be diggers they sometimes do it the actively involved in conservation
The American kestrel is a com- identified by their long yellow legs, easy way and use discarded con- efforts.
mon bird with proper training and and their large, hooked, bluish bill. struction pipes as a nesting and These stamps will be available at all
weight control many American Caracaras have black crowns and resting place. the Post Office locations, namely in
kestrels become effective hunters crests, with red facial skin. Their Nesting season begins in late Oranjestad, San Nicolas and
of birds in the size range of spar- tails are banded, alternating black March or April. Occasionally a Sta. Cruz.
rows and starlings, with occasional and white, with a wide black ter- male will have two (2) mates. Make sure that you have this set in
success against birds up to approx- minal band. The ends of the prima- Clutch size 1- 5 eggs. Burrowing your collection as the stock is lim-
imately twice their own weight. ries and at the base of the neck Owls are often active during the ited.
are also banded. Immature birds day, although they hunt for food at For more information on the
130 cents: Falki Peregrine appear similar, but their coloring night. They hunt during a 24-hour “Feathers 2019” issue, please con-
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregri- is duller overall. Both sexes of the period especially when they have tact the Philatelic Department at
nus) birds are similarly plumaged. the young to feed. 528-7678 / main office located at
The Peregrine is a large and power- Bonds between adult caracaras They feed on large insects and ro- J.E. Irausquinplein # 9, Oranjestad
ful falcon. It has long, broad, point- are strong, persisting until one of dents which it typically hunts for or visit their Facebook page: Aruba
ed wings and a relatively short tail. the mates dies. Together, the pair from the ground, walking, hopping Stamps and Webpage: postaruba.
It is blue-grey above, with a black- of Caracaras will maintain a large or running after it. It is known on oc- com. q