100 Forever Stamps 2014 USPS First-Class Songbird 2014 Stamp 5 Books (20PCS/Book)

“Songbirds have been singing and delighting humans for thousands of years, so it’s only fitting that today they receive their own postage stamps,” said U.S. Postal Service Southern Area Vice President Jo Ann Feindt, who will dedicate the stamps. “As you celebrate all of the upcoming events of spring — Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and weddings, or whatever the occasion, remember the Songbirds stamps.”

Illustrator Robert Giusti of Bridgewater, CT, depicted each bird perching on a fence post or branch embellished with vines, pinecones, leaves or flowers. The paintings appear against a plain, white background. Art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, designed the stamps.

Between 4,000 and 4,500 different types of songbirds can be found around the planet, accounting for nearly half of all bird species. Songbirds are identified by their highly developed vocal organs. Some songbirds, like the crow, have harsh voices, others sing rarely or not at all. All songbirds are classified as perching birds. With three toes pointing forward and one pointing backwards, they can grip branches and grasses with ease.

Why do songbirds make such a glorious sound every morning? In a word, love. Males sing to attract females and to warn rivals to keep out of their territory.