Catalog number: ZNHCRA0853

Sheet CZ 2015 - European Owls

Sheet Czech Republic 2015 - Nature Protection: European Owls.

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Sheet Czech Republic 2015 - Nature Protection: European Owls.
Author: Libuše and Jaromír Knotkovi
Engraving Author: Martin Srb
Print Sheets: 1 AP
Perforation: RZ 11 ¾
Printing Method: Steel engraving from a flat plate in black combined with multicolor offset
Edition: 58,000 pcs
Issue Number: A853/856
Release Date: 02.09.2015

Specification:
Owls have always been one of the most interesting groups in the bird kingdom. Their attractiveness and interest in them is probably due to their hidden, predominantly nocturnal way of life. Previously, they were classified among birds of prey with nocturnal activity. Later, researchers created a separate order based on their anatomical body structure. Even the term "nocturnal predators" was not accurate, as many owls belong to diurnal birds. In Europe, there are 13 native species of owls, and all are depicted on the sheet. Of these, only one, the great grey owl, never flies to us. Two depicted species rarely occur in the Czech Republic but do not nest here. The other ten species of owls are our "nesting species."

0853 - adult little owl with chicks – is about the size of a dove, it used to be a common species, but its numbers are declining for reasons not fully understood

0854 - Tengmalm's owl with chicks – is a seemingly similar species, but it is larger and, unlike the little owl, which sits in a hunched position, this species always sits upright

0855 - two species of owls – in the upper part of the stamp, the snowy owl is flying – a large tundra predator, representing the eagle owls in the far north. In the absence of food, which consists mainly of lemmings or arctic hares, it sometimes flies to us in winter. In the lower part of the stamp is a sitting tawny owl in front of a castle ruin. It is our most common owl.

0856 - Eurasian eagle-owl – with a size of 70 cm, weight up to 4.5 kg, and a wingspan of almost 2 m, it is the largest European owl and also the largest owl in the world. There is a documented case of a captured fawn weighing 13 kg. It also hunts birds of prey, such as buzzards, hawks, feral cats, foxes, etc.

Other species are depicted on four coupons and the edges of the sheet. For example, the rarest European owl, the little scops owl, or our smallest owl, the Eurasian pygmy owl, barely reaching the size of a sparrow.

source: ceskaposta.cz