Malaysia 1988 The Protected Passerine Birds

Malaysia has a very rich bird fauna of which more than 500 species are protected by law. The Passerine or perching birds form about half the species. Most of them are birds of the forest and many are good singers.

The 4 species illustrated on this issue depict 4 families of Passerine Birds. They demonstrate the richness, variety, beauty and the complex ecology of our various wild life heritage. The first 20c stamp is Black-naped Monarch, 2nd 20c stamp is Scarlet-backed Flower-pecker. The third 50c and last 50c are Crimson Sunbird and Black-and-Red Broad-bill. 

The Black-naped Monarch is the smallest of the monarch flycatchers found in this country. This species is characterized by its lightly build body, slender legs, longish tail and broad flattened bill. Its principle habitat is lowland forest but it may also be found in well grown secondary woods. 

The Scarlet-backed Flower-pecker is a tiny bird, only 10cm in the length, found most commonly in scrub, secondary growth and gardens, even in town.

The Crimson Sunbird is a small bird with a fine, curved bill and protusible tongue rolled into a sucking tube, enabling it to feed on the nectar of flowers. It's body length not more than 13cm and mostly found in forest, secondary growth, garden, cultivated land and near the coast.

The blacked-and-Red Broad-bill is characterized  by its wide and deep bill and thick-set body. It is about 23cm long. This species can be found at edge of forest and nearby with a stream or river. They feed on small animals of various kinds, captured both on trees and from the ground.