(Click on each stamp to see an enlargement)
This new series of fauna stamps produced for Guinea-Bissau and us collectors is a commendable attempt to cover species found in the country, though there are far too many stamps and some unnecessary duplication. With so many stamps, it is not surprising that a few errors have crept in. Using Google's image search, I have found a few of the original photographs on which the designs are based. The boars sheet has two errors, with the "Black-bellied" Bustard looking more like a Kori's, and the francolin has been produced from this photograph which actually shows Yellow-necked Francolin (Francolinus leucoscepus).
On the sheet with terns, there are two errors: the one labelled "Thallaseus maximus" looks more like a Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), whereas the one labelled "Sterna dougalli" is based on this photograph of a Royal Tern (Sterna maxima).
In the kingfishers, the one labelled "Ispidina picta" is clearly a American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea), and not surprisingly, the wrong Crowned-crane has been used. Also, I will assume that the two oxpeckers on the Buffalo's back being watched by a Malachite Kingfisher are Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus).
No doubt a few more errors will be spotted as we find photographs that were used as the source for this series.
Updated 21 July 2008 The bird I originally listed as Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) is actually taken from this photograph of an Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps).
Updated 23 July 2008 I've added links to source photographs used by the stamp designer for 31 of the stamps.
Updated 24 July 2008 The bird originally listed as African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) is actually taken from this photograph of a Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia).
Updated 25 July 2008 The bird originally listed as Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus) is actually taken from this photograph of an American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea).
Updated 19 August 2008 The dancing crane is a Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). The image is taken from this photograph.
