Malaysia 2001 Ayam Katik (Malaysian Bantams)

Malaysian bantams are highly valued for their beauty and basically there are two locally bred varieties are the most popular which are Serama Batam and Kapan Bantam. Furthermore, the roosters have very high-pitched and shrill crows which are generally pleasing to the ear.

The left 30sen and the right RM1 stamps both are Serama Bantam. This bantam is the latest craze to local bantam enthusiasts; its popularity is due to its uplifted and over-sized breast, short legs and long tail, which is often held upright and it comes in variety of colors. 

The middle 50sen stamp is Kapan Bantam. It looks similar to the Serama Bantam, but is generally more robust, bigger and heavier built. It has large breast, generally held high. The legs are also short and it swaggers while walking with the wings usually drooped. It also comes in many variety of colors.

The above miniature sheet is an imperf-orate sheet, the beautiful rooster is Red Junglefowl. It is not a bantam but it is ancestor of all domestic breeds of poultry. It inhabits the forest edge, plantation, scrub and open grassland throughout Peninsular Malaysia. It has a long, slender body with bright orange-yellow hackles on the neck. The tail is long and black glossed green with a white patch at the base of tail. 

Malaysia 2000 Birds

This issue introduces Malaysia protected pheasants and partridges which are plump in shape and rather like chicken. Malaysia only can find 9 species of pheasants and 10 partridges over 49 and 141 species in the world. But all these species are protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act.

Malaysian pheasants are only found in rain forest. The right hand 20 sen bird stamp is known as Mountain Peacock pheasant which can be found in Peninsular Malaysia and the RM1 bird stamp is Bulwer's pheasant, mostly can be found in Sabah and Sarawak. For the 30 sen bird stamp is the male Crested Argus. It is one of Malaysia's most beautiful ground birds.

Most pheasants and partridges are forest dwellers, preferring to find food and build nests under bushes or fallen tree. They feed on insects, berries, seeds, etc solely on forest floors. The are not good fliers and do not migrate. They prefer to run or hid from danger.

During breeding seasons, the male will show as many ocelli (tail feather's eye) in order to attract the females. This will normally occurs after raining seasons.

Malaysia 1997 Highland Birds

Malaysian highland bird are generally colorful and relatively tame. These featured make them easy to find and watch, at fairly close range.

About 134 bird species are largely exclusively dependent on mountain forest such as at Mountain Kinabalu. This highland birds are important for the survival of the forest. Some helps to disperse seeds, and various sun-birds and spider-hunters help to pollinate flowers. Without such help, the plants could not continue to propagate successfully.

Of course, the conservation of the highland is vital for the survival of the birds too. This is called natural environment, it helps to prevent imbalance of the forest ecosystem.



1. 20c - Pygmy Blue Flycatcher (This species only can be found in forest above 1200m)
2. 30c - Silver-Eared Mesia (This species can be found in forest above 900m)
3. 50c  - Black-Sided Flowerpecker (This is species of Borneo, can be only found at mountain forest 1200m upward)
4. RM1 - Scarlet Sunbird (It is found in forest and mountain areas to above 1500m.)

First day cover with a bird cancellation postmark.