Scott No: -
Serial number: 2014-2
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: February 23, 2014
Denomination: 540 fen
Designer: Wan Yi
Size of stamps:
31 * 52 mm (Value 1, 4)
52 * 31 mm (Value 2, 3)
Perforation:
13 (Value 1, 4)
13 * 12.5 (Value 2, 3)
Sheet composition: 16
Size of sheet:
154 * 248 mm (Value 1, 4)
248 * 154 mm (Value 2, 3)
Printing process: Offset and engraving
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

"Birds of Prey (II)" is a set of four special stamps issued by China Post on February 23, 2014.

Birds of prey form a significant group within the avian kingdom, comprising carnivorous birds. They are characterized by strong, hooked beaks, large wings built for powerful flight, and strong legs and feet equipped with sharp, hooked talons. They are fierce predators that hunt other birds, rodents, rabbits, snakes, and carrion. This group encompasses all birds traditionally classified under the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes. They are widely distributed across the globe, with the exception of Antarctica, and many species are migratory. From the human perspective, they are all beneficial birds that occupy top positions in the food chain as typical consumers. As apex predators, birds of prey play a vital role in their ecosystems. Currently, due to the impact of natural environmental changes and human activities, their survival is under severe threat. Their populations are declining, and many have become endangered species, drawing significant attention from the biological community. Thirty-one species of birds of prey are listed on the World Endangered Species Red List, and in China, all species in the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes are classified as nationally protected animals.

On March 20, 1987, China's postal service issued the T114 "Birds of Prey" special stamp set, consisting of four stamps, to promote public awareness of these birds and encourage conservation efforts. The stamps depicted the Black Kite, Steller's Sea Eagle, Griffon Vulture, and the Northern Goshawk, painted by Wan Yi. The designs were selected from twelve illustrations created for this project, starting in 1983. For its successful integration of artistic and scientific accuracy, the set was named the Best Stamp of 1987.

The "Birds of Prey (II)" stamp designs are taken from the unused illustrations for the original "Birds of Prey" set; the original artworks are now housed at the Historical Archives Center of the China National Philatelic Museum.

The four birds featured in "Birds of Prey (II)"—the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Hen Harrier, Northern Goshawk, and Common Kestrel—are all diurnal birds of prey from the order Falconiformes and are listed as key protected wildlife in China. The Eastern Imperial Eagle inhabits mountainous forests and forest edges, usually hunting from perches in trees. The Hen Harrier lives in open fields, grasslands, and farmlands. The Northern Goshawk, with its keen eyesight and agile flight, is a formidable predator of forest birds and hares. The Common Kestrel, one of the most common small birds of prey in open areas, is best known for its elegant hovering flight.

This stamp set employs traditional Chinese gongbi (meticulous brushwork) technique with rich colors. While vividly portraying the distinctive characteristics of each bird, the designs maintain the essence of traditional Chinese art while remaining scientifically accurate, aiming for a synthesis of art and science. The artist fills the frame with the bird, placing it within its natural habitat, creating vivid and lifelike images. In handling the relationship between the subject and the background, the stamps utilize the perspective techniques unique to Chinese painting, where birds and landscape elements each have their own vanishing points, creating a rich sense of depth. The fine details of the birds—hooked beaks, broad wings, powerful legs, and sharp talons—are meticulously rendered using fine brushwork, while the surrounding landscape features are painted in a more freehand ink wash style, evoking a beautiful and expansive natural setting and achieving a harmonious integration between the main subject and its environment.