MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: Robert Johns, 202-234-7181 ext.210,

Stamp Images courtesy of SERPOST, Museum of Natural History San Marcos & ECOAN

(Washington, D.C., October 20, 2011)  Thanks to the efforts of Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN), American Bird Conservancy's partner in Peru, and the Natural History Museum of San Marcos (UNMSM), the Peruvian Postal Service (SERPOST) has announced two new postage stamps featuring two of the world's most endangered birds.

The stamps depict the endangered Marvelous Spatuletail and the critically endangered White-bellied Cinclodes, both known only to live in Peru. The Marvelous Spatuletail only occurs in the Rio Utcubamba Valley in the Andes of northern Peru, while the White-bellied Cinclodes only occurs in a few high-altitude bogs in the central part of the country. The photographs used for the stamps were provided to Peru's Natural History Museum by ECOAN and American Bird Conservancy.

ECOAN has been a leader in promoting the conservation of the Marvelous Spatuletail, engaging local communities in establishing a reserve at Huembo and conducting a reforestation campaign to restore spatuletail habitat. ECOAN is also working with local communities and the mining industry to protect the White-bellied Cinclodes at Ticlio along Peru's central highway. ABC Conservation Biologist Dr. Daniel Lebbin, who photographed the White-bellied Cinclodes on the stamp, commented “It is thrilling to see Peru's threatened endemic birds receiving this public attention thanks to SERPOST, the Natural History Museum of San Marcos, and ECOAN. These stamps should inspire Peruvians to visit Huembo and Ticlio where they can see and appreciate their natural heritage, and in doing so, support the protection of these places through tourism.”

Each stamp will cost 10 nuevos soles, equivalent to about $3.70, and will raise awareness among Peruvians of their threatened endemic birds. The stamps are available for purchase in Peru beginning October 28.

Peru possesses an extraordinary ornithological diversity. Over 1,800 bird species have been recorded there, ranking Peru the country with the fourth most bird species (behind Indonesia, Colombia, and Brazil). Over 100 species are endemic to Peru, with many more that barely range into neighboring countries. New species are still being discovered and described from Peru, with several descriptions awaiting publication.

Peru is therefore a premier birding destination. Birders interested in seeing the Marvelous Spatuletail and other endemics should consider visiting the Huembo and Abra Patricia reserves in northern Peru. These reserves were established by ECOAN and American Bird Conservancy; ecotourism contributes directly to their support.

Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN, www.ecoanperu.org ) is a leading Peruvian conservation organization specializing on working with local communities to establish and manage protected areas.