Songbirds in Snow 2016 Forever Postage Stamps Self-Adhesive Booklet for Winter Mail

The Songbirds in Snow stamps each feature one of four birds: the golden-crowned kinglet, the cedar waxwing, the northern cardinal, and the red-breasted nuthatch. Illustrator Robert Giusti painted the original designs in acrylic on canvas board, depicting each bird perched on a snow-covered branch. He and the art director chose these four birds for their color, attractiveness, and adaptability to the small format of a postage stamp.

The sight of birds sitting on a snowy tree branch and the sound of their songs and calls bring joy in the depth of winter. Though many birds migrate to warmer climes before the snow falls, some hardy birds are able to cope with the cold and to find food year-round. In winter, they eat much more than in summer, and they sometimes forage in flocks to increase the chances of finding a good food source. To keep warm, they fluff their feathers to create an insulating layer of air; some birds can slow their metabolism, lower their body temperature, or reduce their heart rate to conserve energy.