Romfilatelia introduces into circulation, on Friday, February 12, 2021, a new issue of postage stamps dedicated to Fauna: SOIMS.
Falcons are diurnal birds of prey, very good flying, agile and fast; their long, sharp wings allow them to fly at high speed and quickly change direction in flight. They live on all continents except Antarctica, in a variety of habitats, from polar tundra to tropical forests.
The largest species – the polar hawk – can reach 65 cm in length; the smallest, the dwarf falcon, is only 20 cm. As with other day predators, in most species of falcons females are larger than males, which allows hunting a wider range of prey, of different sizes. Falcons have exceptional visual acuity, which helps them see small prey from tens of meters high.
There is a privileged relationship between humans and falcons: for centuries, many of the falcon species have been used by man in a special activity, whose name is linked to the very names of these birds – falconry or falconry.
The striped forest falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) appears on the stamp with a face value of 2.20 lei. It is a bird of prey that lives in the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America, especially in forests. It hunts small birds and mammals, snakes and lizards. It does not build nests, but lays eggs in holes.
The dwarf falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is represented on the stamp with a face value of 2.60 lei. It is a small falcon species (19-20 cm long), native to eastern and southern Africa. It feeds on insects, small reptiles and mammals.
The winter falcon (Falco columbarius) is represented on the stamp with a face value of 5.50 lei. It is a small falcon species, widespread in the northern hemisphere. Males have a wingspan (distance between the tips of the outstretched wings) of 53-58 cm, females are slightly larger. It is an agile flier, adapted for hunting small birds.
The traveling falcon (Falco peregrinus) is illustrated on the stamp with a face value of 19.50 lei and on the envelope “first day” of the issue. It is a large species (up to 120 cm in wingspan), widespread throughout the world. It lives in a wide variety of environments, from the Arctic tundra to the open areas of the tropics. It feeds almost exclusively on medium-sized birds. It can reach speeds of over 300 km / h, being considered the fastest animal on Earth.
