Story: Small forest birds

Fantail stamp (1st of 2)

Fantail stamp

The fantail featured in a special pictorial issue of stamps in the 1930s. New Zealand Post describes the halfpenny stamp as follows:

Fantail: issued July 1937 – 1/2d
The fantail or 'piwakawaka' in Maori, is a very sociable New Zealand native. The bird's name derives from its beautiful tail of twelve feathers, which broadly expands as the bird flits about.
In the background of the design is one of the best-known flowers of the New Zealand bush, the beautiful clematis, which is particularly appropriate, as both the bird and the flower are usually found near the edge of the forest.

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New Zealand Post

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Small forest birds - Fantails and silvereyes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/postage-stamp/12491/fantail-stamp (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015, updated 1 Aug 2023