2014 Songbird Forever

Illustrator Robert Giusti of Bridgewater, CT, depicted each bird perching on a fence post or branch embellished with vines, pinecones, leaves or flowers. The paintings appear against a plain, white background.
Value: 66¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate

Issue Date: April 5, 2014
City: Dallas TX, at the Trinity River Audubon Center
Printed By: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Lithograph printed in booklets 20
Songbirds, also known as passerines, make up nearly half of the world’s bird species, totaling about 4,000.
These small, migratory birds inhabit various global habitats and stand out with their bright coloring and distinct songs.
The characteristic melody of a songbird comes from its highly developed vocal organ or song box, often coupled with an elongated windpipe.
Each songbird species possesses a unique set of songs, and individual birds perform variations in tone or pitch for neighbor identification.
While all songbird vocalizations serve as social communication, not every call is considered a “song.”
Recognized songs are typically tunes used by male songbirds during courtship, breeding, and territory establishment and maintenance.
Females occasionally sing, and some species engage in duets, thought to strengthen the bond of mated pairs.
For reasons still unknown, songbirds showcase their vocal skills most effectively during the early hours of the morning.
Year-round, early risers can appreciate the “dawn chorus,” a daily medley, with spring being the best time in temperate climates.
International Dawn Chorus Day officially recognizes this avian beauty each May, drawing bird lovers worldwide to witness the spectacle.
Illustrator Robert Giusti depicted the Western Meadowlark and other songbirds in this set perched on branches or fence posts.
His artwork is featured on other stamps, including Tufted Puffins (#4737), Birds of Prey (4608-12), and a Cardinal (2480).