Bird stamps issued by Myanmar (historically and philatelically known as Burma) hold a unique and respected place in natural history philately. Unlike many commercial topical issues produced purely for foreign markets by third-party agencies, Myanmar’s bird stamps are official domestic postal emissions that deeply reflect the country’s rich, diverse ornithology.
1. Philatelic Overview of Myanmar's Avian Stamps
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Issuing Authority: Issued by the postal administration of Burma (later the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, and currently the Republic of the Union of Myanmar).
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Artistic Origin: Many of Myanmar's most famous classic bird stamps are directly adapted from foundational ornithological literature—specifically illustrations from "The Birds of Burma" by Bertram E. Smythies, first published in 1940.
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Significance: These sets transition from classic mid-century definitive series celebrating native wildlife to modern specialized sets highlighting regional endemic species.
2. The Landmark 1964 & 1968 Definitive Bird Series
The cornerstone of Burmese bird philately is the magnificent definitive set of local birds issued by the Union of Burma on April 16, 1964 (followed by a redrawn re-issue in July 1968).
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The 1964 First Printing: A multi-value set depicting prominent native birds across different denominations.
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The 1968 Re-issue: Exactly the same designs, values, and color schemes were re-released in slightly modified stamp dimensions. Official "SERVICE" overprinted variants of these sets were also produced for government mail use.
Key Species Featured in the Classic 1964/1968 Series:
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White-browed Fantail (Rhipidura aureola)
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Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
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Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
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Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
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Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)
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Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus)
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Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)
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Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) — Historically significant as a cultural symbol of Burma.
3. Modern Endemic Bird Issues (2020s)
In recent years, Myanmar's postal service has released specialized commemorative stamp sets focusing strictly on the Endemic Birds of Myanmar, highlighting species native to the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) basin, dry zone, and upland forests.
Notable Modern Endemic Species:
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White-throated Babbler (Argya gularis) – Endemic to the dry central zone of Myanmar.
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Hooded Treepie (Crypsirina cucullata) – A striking grey-and-black corvid endemic to central Myanmar.
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Jerdon's Minivet (Pericrocotus albifrons) – A rare, localized minivet native to the dry scrub forests along the Ayeyarwady River.
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Burmese Bush Lark (Plocealauda microptera)
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Ayeyarwady Bulbul (Pycnonotus blanfordi)
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Burmese Collared Dove (Streptopelia xanthocycla)
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White-browed Nuthatch (Sitta victoriae) – Endemic to the high-altitude pine forests of Mount Victoria (Nat Ma Taung) in Chin State.
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Burmese Prinia (Prinia cooki)
4. Collecting and Market Insights
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Cataloging: In major global references like the Scott Catalog and Stanley Gibbons, these issues are listed under Burma (up to 1989) and Myanmar (from 1989 onward).
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Collector Appeal:
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The 1964 and 1968 sets are heavily sought after by traditional Commonwealth and Asian regional collectors, especially when found in Mint Never Hinged (MNH) blocks or tied to commercial postally used covers.
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The modern endemic bird issues are treasured by specialized "Birds on Stamps" topical topicalists due to their focus on hard-to-find localized Asian species.
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Face value | Family number | English name | Scientific name
2019.01
12.12.2019
Roller
100k
88
Indochinese Roller Coracias affinis
2022.01
09.10.2022
Endemic birds
200k
210
White-throated Babbler Argya gularis
2022.02
23.11.2022
Endemic birds
200k
168
Hooded Treepie Crypsirina cucullata
2022.03
29.11.2022
Endemic birds
200k
154
Jerdon's Minivet Pericrocotus albifrons
2023.01
04.01.2023
Endemic birds
200k
188
Burmese Bush Lark Plocealauda microptera
2023.02
31.01.2023
Endemic birds
200k
189
Ayeyarwady Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi
2023.03
22.03.2023
Endemic birds
200k
27
Burmese Collared Dove Streptopelia xanthocycla
2023.04
05.04.2023
Endemic birds
200k
203
Burmese Prinia Prinia cooki
2023.05
04.05.2023
Endemic birds
200k
219
White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae
2023.06
31.05.2023
Endemic birds
200k
197
Black-browed Bushtit Aegithalos bonvaloti
2025.01
20.08.2025
Endemic birds
Sheet
2022.01-03, 2023.01-06
200k
210
White-throated Babbler Argya gularis
200k
168
Hooded Treepie Crypsirina cucullata
200k
154
Jerdon's Minivet Pericrocotus albifrons
200k
188
Burmese Bush Lark Plocealauda microptera
200k
189
Ayeyarwady Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi
200k
27
Burmese Collared Dove Streptopelia xanthocycla
200k
203
Burmese Prinia Prinia cooki
200k
219
White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae
200k
197
Black-browed Bushtit Aegithalos bonvaloti
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