Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-4
Values in set: 6
Date of issue: February 28, 2008
Denomination: 720 fen
Designer: Zeng Xiaolian
Size of stamps: 30 * 40
Size of sheet: 144 * 170 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition: 6
Printing process: photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On February 28, 2008, the special stamp "Endemic Birds of China" (catalog number 2008-4) was officially issued. The set consists of six stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 7.20 yuan. The stamps were designed by Zeng Xiaolian and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. This stamp set won the Best Se-tenant Stamp Award at the 13th Government Stamp Printers Conference, marking the first time a Chinese stamp received this international award.

China is rich in bird species, with many endemic and rare species. To promote knowledge about birds, advocate for wildlife protection, and support biodiversity conservation, China Post issued this special stamp set. The set features six endemic bird species from different regions of China, including Taiwan, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the southwestern mountains, and the northwestern deserts, covering a variety of forest, plateau, and desert ecosystems. The stamps present the unique charm of these wild birds, raising public awareness of bird conservation and showcasing China's abundant wildlife resources.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

Taiwan Blue Magpie

Image: A Taiwan Blue Magpie perched on a branch. This species is endemic to Taiwan, characterized by its blue-black plumage and long, flowing tail, making it a representative native bird of the island.

Tibetan Bunting

Image: A pair of Tibetan Buntings (male and female). This species inhabits the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is a rare endemic finch with a limited range, making it a key protected bird species.

Yellow-bellied Tragopan

Image: A male Yellow-bellied Tragopan. This species is a first-class protected animal in China, mainly distributed in the mountain forests of southern China. It is a rare pheasant species with a small wild population.

Black-fronted Laughingthrush

Image: A Black-fronted Laughingthrush feeding on fruit. This species is found only in the mountainous areas of southern Gansu and is a rare endemic babax bird with a narrow habitat.

Golden Pheasant

Image: A male Golden Pheasant in its splendid plumage. Also known as the "Golden Chicken," this is a unique pheasant species in China with brilliant colors, often used as a representative image of Chinese birds.

White-tailed Ground Jay

Image: A White-tailed Ground Jay in a Gobi desert environment. This species inhabits the deserts and Gobi of Xinjiang and is a unique corvid adapted to the arid desert ecosystem.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a uniform vertical format with a scientific illustration style, accurately depicting the physical characteristics and native habitats of the birds. The six stamps form a continuous natural ecological scroll, with the sheet design creating a harmonious forest scene. The attached labels feature three additional endemic bird species, expanding the thematic content. The illustrations follow the birds' natural behavior, with vivid compositions and delicate, soft colors, combining scientific accuracy with artistic beauty. The integrated six-stamp continuous design is the highlight of the set.

This stamp set is a benchmark issue for bird-themed stamps in China, having won an international printing award and gaining high recognition. It is available in a single six-stamp continuous sheet format, making it suitable for wildlife and bird-themed collections. It is often collected together with the regular issue "Birds of China" (R-31), making it a classic item in animal-themed modern stamp collections.