Akahige : Japan Nature Conservation Series VIII

A postage stamp on the Nature Conservation Series “Temminck’s Robin”, the Japanese domestic bird :

Issued by Japan

Issued on Feb 27, 1976

Issued for : As the fourth in the Nature Conservation Series “Birds” a 50 yen postage stamp will be issued depicting “Akahige” (Riukiu robin).

Colour : Multicolour

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : 50 Yen

Printing Process : Photogravure & Engraved

Perforation : 13

About : 

• Beautifully coloured and sweet-voiced, Akahige (Erithacus komadori) has been cherished as domestic bird. The region it is distributed is limited. It resembles a robin in figure, habits and singing note. Indiscriminately hunted, the number of it has badly decreased and consequently it has been designated as natural monument.
  
• There are three subspecies of Akahige; that is, Akahige (Erithacus komadori komadori), Honto–akahige (Erithacus komadori namiyei) and Usu–akahige (Erithacus komadori subrufus). Breeding in the islands of Amami–oshima, Tokuno–shima and Tanega–shima, Akahige inhabits in the dense forest of the evergreen broad-leafed trees along the valley. From March to June it is heard warbling sweetly. Honto-akahige is found in the Okinawa Main Island while Usu-akahige in the Sakishima Islands, Okinawa, including Iriomote Island.