COVER N. 402/403/404 - SRI LANKA

Postmark: Headquarters P. O. Colombo Mail 23.01.24

Posted on the 23rd January; Received on the 1st February 2024

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I have said it before, Ravindra is fast becoming a very common name here on my blog, so many are the beautiful covers he has been sending me to my greatest pleasure. Bohomȧ  sthoothi, Ravindra!

This time, I was absolutely amazed to open my letterbox and find not one but three envelopes with the great bird Sri Lankan issue of 2021.  

Given that the covers are all intimately related I'll include  them all on a single post.

The issue, which began to circulate on 09OCT2021, is dedicated to Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka,  and it comprises 6 individual 25 Rupee stamps, which were also issued as one stamp souvenir sheets.

Ravindra made sure I had them all (in doubles 😀), and for that I am gratefully thankful, for this really makes for an interesting addition to my collection.

Ravindra kindly included in one of the covers a little booklet with the release notes, which luckily are bilingual and which I'll quote directly from to identify the birds depicted in the stamps, (which I presume is fair usage) using the image on its front page as reference. As so, left to right, top to bottom:

Sri Lankan Swallow - Cecnopis hyperythra

These birds live in the wet and dry zones of the lowlands, but they are not found in Jaffna or the surrounding islands. They can be seen on elevations up to 1,500 metres.

Sri Lanka Spoted Winged Thrush - Geokichla spiloptera

They can be found across the island in all geographical areas. They also live in elevations up to 2,000 metres. They can also be seen spread across the dry zone. The Sri Lanka Spot Winged Thrush prefers the forests in the low country wet zone.

Sri lanka Woodshrike - Tephrodornis affinis

The Woodshrike can be easily seen in the dry zone of the low country but can also be found in hilly areas of about 1200 metres. It is scarce to find the bird in the wet zone. They do not like heavy forests and can be seen on scrub as well as large trees.

Sri Lanka Crimson Fronted Barbet - Psilopogon rubricapillus

Can be seen in both the wet and dry zone. They can be seen in mountain areas, up to 1,300 metres of elevation. They prefer to stay in home gardens that have tall trees, and a striking feature is that they also live in urban surroundings.

Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill - Ocyceros gingalensis

These birds live in wet and dry zones of the low country. Although they live in both zones, they are more frequently found in the wet zone. They prefer to live in the riverine forests on the dry zone and forests with large trees in the wet zone.

Sri lanka Geater Flameback -  Chrysocolaptes striklandi

Can be found in all parts of the country but can be seen mainly in mountain areas in the wet zone.

As usual with Ravindra's covers, the Postmark indicates expedition through the PO Headquarters of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.