ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – MANY-COLOURED RUSH TYRANT (TACHURIS RUBRIGASTRA) #2

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Many-coloured Rush Tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Tyrannidae
Genus : Tachuris
Species : T. Rubrigastra

Description:

The Many-coloured rush tyrant (Tachuris rubrigastra) or Many-colored rush tyrant is a small passerine bird of South America belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is the only member of the genus Tachuris and its relationships with the other members of the family are uncertain. It inhabits marshland and reedbeds around lakes and rivers. It is particularly associated with stands of Scirpus. The nest is built among plant stems.

There are four subspecies: T. r. rubrigastra is the most widespread, occurring from south-east Brazil to southern Argentina and central Chile. T. r. alticola is found in the Andes of south-east Peru, west Bolivia and north-west Argentina. T. r. libertatis is found in coastal Peru while T. r. loaensis is restricted to Antofagasta Region in northern Chile.

It is a small bird, 10.5 cm in length. The tail is short, the wings are short and rounded and the bill is slender. As the bird's name suggests, the plumage is very colorful. The back and rump are green while the underparts are yellow apart from the white throat, black breastband and red undertail-coverts. The face is dark blue-grey, there is a yellow stripe over the eye and the crown is dark with a red patch that is often concealed. The wings and tail are dark with a white wingbar and white outer tail-feathers. Juveniles are considerably duller than the adults.

Binomial Name:

Name : Tachuris rubrigastra
Taxonomist : Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (Yvetot - France)
Year : 1817
Subspecies : 4 (Rubigastra, Alticola, Libertatis, Ioaensis)
Synonyms : Sylvia rubrigastra

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

1999 - Uruguay - Stamp 4 of 4, from Birds and Trees Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: April 14th, 1999
Printed: 35.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 7

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – CHESTNUT-BACKED TANAGER (TANGARA PRECIOSA)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Chestnut-backed tanager (Tangara preciosa)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Thraupidae
Genus : Tangara
Species : T. Preciosa

Description:

The Chestnut-backed tanager (Tangara preciosa) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil, north-eastern Argentina, eastern Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is closely related to the rarer black-backed tanager, and females of the two species are indistinguishable. This bird is characterized by its green breast, and chesnut colored back. Before research was completed, this animal was often mistaken for a result of a mutated black-backed tanager ("Tangara peruviana"). It is now known that this is not the case, and though the two species are related, they are not in fact the same species. The tanager is not in any danger, and is plentiful in the areas that it resides in. Further studies show that this animal is non-invasive, which simply means that it will not invade areas other than its own region.

Binomial Name:

Name : Tangara preciosa
Taxonomist : Jean Louis Cabanis (Berlin - Germany)
Year : 1850
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

1999 - Uruguay - Stamp 3 of 4, from Birds and Trees Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: April 14th, 1999
Printed: 35.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 7

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – HUMMINGBIRDS – GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (CHLOROSTILBON LUCIDUS)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Glittering-bellied emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Apodiformes
Family : Trochilidae
Genus : Chlorostilbon
Species : C. Lucidus

Description:

The Fawn-breasted tanager (Pipraeidea melanonota) is a species of tanager with a blue head and yellow breast. It is in the genus Pipraeidea, along with the Blue-and-yellow tanager. It occurs in the Andes of northwestern Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, as well as in the highlands of northeastern Argentina, south Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Binomial Name:

Name : Chlorostilbon lucidus
Taxonomist : George Shaw (Bierton - England)
Year : 1812
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : Chlorostilbon aureoventris

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

1999 - Uruguay - Stamp 2 of 4, from Birds and Trees Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: April 14th, 1999
Printed: 35.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 7

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (PIPRAEIDEA MELANONOTA)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Fawn-breasted tanager (Pipraeidea melanonota)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Thraupidae
Genus : Pipraeidea
Species : P. Melanonota

Description:

The Fawn-breasted tanager (Pipraeidea melanonota) is a species of tanager with a blue head and yellow breast. It is in the genus Pipraeidea, along with the Blue-and-yellow tanager. It occurs in the Andes of northwestern Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, as well as in the highlands of northeastern Argentina, south Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Binomial Name:

Name : Pipraeidea melanonota
Taxonomist : Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (Yvetot - France)
Year : 1819
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

1999 - Uruguay - Stamp 1 of 4, from Birds and Trees Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: April 14th, 1999
Printed: 35.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 7

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – GOLDEN-WINGED CACIQUE (CACICUS CHRYSOPTERUS)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Golden-winged cacique (Cacicus chrysopterus)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Icteridae
Genus : Cacicus
Species : C. Chrysopterus

Description:

The Golden-winged cacique (Cacicus chrysopterus) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Binomial Name:

Name : Cacicus chrysopterus
Taxonomist : Nicholas Aylward Vigors (Old Leighlin - Ireland)
Year : 1825
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2000 - Uruguay - Stamp 4 of 4, from Birds Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: September 27th, 2000
Printed: 25.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 5

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 35 mm. x 22 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – FRECKLE-BREASTED THORNBIRD (PHACELLODOMUS STRIATICOLLIS)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Freckle-breasted thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticollis)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Furnariidae
Genus : Phacellodomus
Species : P. Striaticollis

Description:

The Freckle-breasted thornbird (Phacellodomus striaticollis) is a species of bird in the Furnariidae family. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.

Binomial Name:

Name : Phacellodomus striaticollis
Taxonomist : Alcide d'Orbigny (Couëron - France) & Frédéric de Lafresnaye (Falaise - France)
Year : 1838
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2000 - Uruguay - Stamp 3 of 4, from Birds Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: September 27th, 2000
Printed: 25.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 4

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 35 mm. x 22 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – COMMON MINER (GEOSITTA CUNICULARIA)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Common miner (Geositta cunicularia)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Furnariidae
Genus : Geositta
Species : G. Cunicularia

Description:

The Common miner (Geositta cunicularia) is a passerine bird of South America, belonging to the ovenbird family. It is a ground-dwelling bird which feeds on insects and seeds. It has about 9 different subspecies, some of which may be better treated as separate species.

It is 14 to 16 cm long with a fairly long, slightly downcurved bill. The plumage varies geographically but is basically brown above and pale below with a streaked breast, pale stripe over the eye, dark edge to the ear-coverts and pale rufous bar across the wing. The tail is dark with a buff base and variable amounts of buff on the outer feathers. The trilling song is often given in flight and also varies geographically.

The species occurs in open habitats such as grassland, sand dunes and beaches from sea-level to high in the Andes. It is widespread and sometimes common across much of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, parts of Peru and Bolivia and in southernmost Brazil. In winter there is some northward migration by southern birds with a few reaching Paraguay.

The bird lays two or three white eggs in a chamber at the end of a tunnel, up to 3 metres long, dug into an earth bank or sand dune.

Binomial Name:

Name : Geositta cunicularia
Taxonomist : Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (Yvetot - France)
Year : 1816
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2000 - Uruguay - Stamp 2 of 4, from Birds Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: September 27th, 2000
Printed: 25.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 4

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 35 mm. x 22 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – BIRDS – SONGBIRDS – LONG-TAILED REED FINCH (DONACOSPIZA ALBIFRONS)

Animals - Birds - Songbirds

Long-tailed reed finch (Donacospiza albifrons)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Emberizidae
Genus : Donacospiza
Species : D. Albifrons

Description:

The Long-tailed reed finch (Donacospiza albifrons) is a species of bird traditionally placed in the Emberizidae family. It has been suggested though that its nearest relations may be the finch-like tanagers of the genus Poospiza in the family Thraupidae. It is the only member of its genus, Donacospiza.

It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are temperate grassland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and swamps.

Binomial Name:

Name : Donacospiza albifrons
Taxonomist : Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (Yvetot - France)
Year : 1817
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : None, or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2000 - Uruguay - Stamp 1 of 4, from Birds Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: September 27th, 2000
Printed: 25.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 5

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 35 mm. x 22 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ARCHITECTURE - LIGHTHOUSES - UNCLASSIFIED

Architecture - Lighthouses

Unclassified

Characteristics:

Scope : All items related with  Lighthouses

Description :

A Lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and used as a navigational aid for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.

Lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbors, and can also assist in aerial navigation. Once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance and use of electronic navigational systems.

History :

Before the development of clearly defined ports, mariners were guided by fires built on hilltops. Since raising the fire would improve the visibility, placing the fire on a platform became a practice that led to the development of the lighthouse. In antiquity, the lighthouse functioned more as an entrance marker to ports than as a warning signal for reefs and promontories, unlike many modern lighthouses. The most famous lighthouse structure from antiquity was the Pharos of Alexandria, although it collapsed during an earthquake centuries later.

The intact Tower of Hercules at A Coruña, Spain gives insight into ancient lighthouse construction; other evidence about lighthouses exists in depictions on coins and mosaics, of which many represent the lighthouse at Ostia. Coins from Alexandria, Ostia, and Laodicea in Syria also exist.

The modern era of lighthouses began at the turn of the 18th century, as lighthouse construction boomed in lockstep with burgeoning levels of transatlantic commerce. Advances in structural engineering and new and efficient lighting equipment allowed for the creation of larger and more powerful lighthouses, including ones exposed to the sea. The function of lighthouses shifted toward the provision of a visible warning against shipping hazards, such as rocks or reefs.

The Eddystone Rocks were a major shipwreck hazard for mariners sailing through the English Channel. The first lighthouse built there was an octagonal wooden structure, anchored by 12 iron stanchions secured in the rock, and was built by Henry Winstanley from 1696 to 1698. His lighthouse was the first tower in the world to have been fully exposed to the open sea.

The civil engineer, John Smeaton, rebuilt the lighthouse from 1756–59; his tower marked a major step forward in the design of lighthouses and remained in use until 1877. He modelled the shape of his lighthouse on that of an oak tree, using granite blocks. He pioneered the use of "hydraulic lime," a form of concrete that will set under water, and developed a technique of securing the granite blocks together using dovetail joints and marble dowels. The dovetailing feature served to improve the structural stability, although Smeaton also had to taper the thickness of the tower towards the top, for which he curved the tower inwards on a gentle gradient. This profile had the added advantage of allowing some of the energy of the waves to dissipate on impact with the walls. His lighthouse was the prototype for the modern lighthouse and influenced all subsequent engineers.

Philatelic Issues

2016 – Uruguay – Unique Miniature Sheet, from Blind Congress Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: April 20th, 2016
Printed: 10.000 Copies
Type: Unique Miniature Sheet from Series
Value: UYP 20

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 120 mm. x 70 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – AMPHIBIANS – FROGS – SQUALIROSTRIS SCINAX (SCINAX SQUALIROSTRIS)

Animals - Amphibians - Frogs

Squalirostris Scinax (Scinax squalirostris)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Amphibia
Order : Anura
Family : Hylidae
Genus : Scinax
Species : S. Squalirostris

Description:

The Squalirostris Scinax (Scinax squalirostris) is a species of frog in the Hylidae family. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and possibly Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, temperate grassland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, intermittent freshwater marshes, pastureland, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forest, ponds, and canals and ditches.

Binomial Name:

Name : Scinax squalirostris
Taxonomist : Adolpho Lutz (Rio de Janeiro - Brazil)
Year : 1925
Subspecies : None or not data available
Synonyms : None or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Not Evaluated, or not data available

Philatelic Issues

2001 - Uruguay - Stamp 4 of 4, from Amphibians and Reptiles Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: February 15th, 2001
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 11

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 22 mm. x 35 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – REPTILES – TURTLES – HILAIRE’S TOADHEAD TURTLE (PHRYNOPS HILARII)

Animals - Reptiles - Turtles

Hilaire’s toadhead turtle (Phrynops hilarii)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Chelidae
Genus : Phrynops
Species : P. Hilarii

Description:

The Hilaire’s toadhead turtle or Hilaire’s side-necked turtle (Phrynops hilarii), is a species of turtle endemic to South America.

The specific name, hilarii, is in honor of French zoologist Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.

P. hilarii is found in southern Brazil (Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) southward and westward into Uruguay and Argentina; possibly also in Paraguay and Bolivia.

Binomial Name:

Name : Phrynops hilarii
Taxonomist : André Marie Constant Duméril (Amiens - France) and Gabriel Bibron (Paris - France)
Year : 1835
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : Many

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Near-threatened species

A Near-threatened species is a species which has been categorized as "Near Threatened" (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status. The IUCN notes the importance of re-evaluating near-threatened taxa at appropriate intervals.

Philatelic Issues

2001 - Uruguay - Stamp 3 of 4, from Amphibians and Reptiles Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: February 15th, 2001
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 11

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 22 mm. x 35 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – REPTILES – TURTLES – BLACK SPINE-NECK SWAMP TURTLE (ACANTHOCHELYS SPIXII)

Animals - Reptiles - Turtles

Black spine-neck swamp turtle (Acanthochelys spixii)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Chelidae
Genus : Acanthochelys
Species : A. Spixii

Description:

The Black spine-neck swamp turtle, Spiny-neck turtle or Spix's sideneck turtle (Acanthochelys spixii) is a species of turtle in the Chelidae family. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and possibly Paraguay.

Binomial Name:

Name : Acanthochelys spixii
Taxonomist : André Marie Constant Duméril (Amiens - France) and Gabriel Bibron (Paris - France)
Year : 1835
Subspecies : None or not data available
Synonyms : Emys depressa Spix, Emys aspera Gray, Platemys spixii

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Near-threatened species

A Near-threatened species is a species which has been categorized as "Near Threatened" (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status. The IUCN notes the importance of re-evaluating near-threatened taxa at appropriate intervals.

Philatelic Issues

2001 - Uruguay - Stamp 2 of 4, from Amphibians and Reptiles Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: February 15th, 2001
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 11

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 22 mm. x 35 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

ANIMALS – AMPHIBIANS – FROGS – MONKEY FROG (PHYLLOMEDUSA IHERINGII)

Animals - Amphibians - Frogs

Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa iheringii)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Amphibia
Order : Anura
Family : Hylidae
Genus : Phyllomedusa
Species : P. Iheringii

Description:

The Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa iheringii) is a species of frog in the Hylidae family, found in Brazil and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are temperate shrubland and intermittent freshwater marshes, and is threatened by habitat loss.

Binomial Name:

Name : Phyllomedusa iheringii
Taxonomist : George Albert Boulenger (Brussels - Belgium)
Year : 1885
Subspecies : None or not data available
Synonyms : None or not data available

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Least Concern

Has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as evaluated but not qualified for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, near threatened, or (prior to 2001) conservation dependent.

Philatelic Issues

2001 - Uruguay - Stamp 1 of 4, from Amphibians and Reptiles Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: February 15th, 2001
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value: UYP 11

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 22 mm. x 35 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated