On June 24, 2009, Iranian Post and Portugal Post pleased to joint issue a set of pair stamp feature birds of prey species. The species depicted are Osprey or Pandion haliaetus and White-tailed Eagle or Haliaeetus albicilla.
Osprey or Pandion haliaetus
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), sometimes known as the sea hawk, fish eagle or fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts, with a black eye patch and wings.
The Osprey's diet consists almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialized physical characteristics and exhibits unique behavior to assist in hunting and catching prey.
White tailed Eagle or Haliaeetus albicilla
White-tailed eagles or Haliaeetus albicilla are versatile and opportunistic hunters and carrion feeders, sometimes pirating food from other birds and even otters. They eat largely fish, but also take various birds, rabbits and hares.
It has brown body plumage with a conspicuously pale head and neck which can be almost white in older birds, and the tail feathers of adults are white. In flight it has massive long, broad wings with 'fingered' ends. Its head protrudes and it has a short, wedge-shaped tail.
Adults are typically solitary or in pairs. Resident birds often roost and loaf close to the nest throughout the year. Juveniles sometimes gather in loose associations of up to 10 individuals. Concentrations of 30-40 have been recorded at roosts and at locally abundant food sources.
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