Europe stamps - Liechtenstein 2019 - 150 Rappen

“National Bird” is this year’s theme of the Europa stamps issued by PostEurop, the trade association of European public postal operators. As Liechtenstein does not have a national bird of its own, Philately has decided to depict the impressive golden eagle and is presenting it with the two motifs “Golden Eagle Approaching” and “Golden Eagle on the Lookout” (face value: CHF 1.50 each) as a combined print on a small sheet of 10 stamps. Owing to Liechtenstein’s small size and the home range of around 50 square kilometres that a golden eagle maintains, the country only has a few pairs of these birds of prey. The king of the air as the bird is also often called has dark brown feathers with a lighter golden brown head and neck. It has a wingspan of more than two metres and its prey includes mammals, birds and carrion. Golden eagles usually live in the open space of mountains above the tree line but in the winter it will also forage for prey in lower regions. A pair of golden eagles has different eyries that they alternate in using for their broods. In contrast to other birds, the voice of the golden eagle is rarely heard.