Australia Philately: 1979 Australian Birds – 50c Flame Robin

The Flame Robin (Petroica phoenicea) shown on the 50c stamp, is perhaps better known as the robin red-breast. This bird is common to south-eastern Australia but rare winter visitors to south-eastern Queensland have been sighted. In winter, highland snow may act as a shining backdrop to the brilliant colours of this bird. The flame robin feeds mainly off the ground on a diet of worms and grubs and builds its nest in a variety of places, including rafters of buildings, hollow trees and rock crevices. 

Details
  • Series: 1979 Australian Birds
  • Subject: Flame Robin
  • Designer: Kay Breeden Williams
  • Printer: Note Issue Department, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
  • Process: Multi-colour photogravure (Chambon press)
  • Cylinders: Yellow Ochre Tint – Vermillion – Yellow Brown – Brownish Grey – Black (printing order)
  • Paper: KP6T unwatermarked coated paper incorporating helecon
  • Watermark: None
  • Perf: 13.5 x 13.25 (comb)
  • Sheet: Printed in two panes of 50 stamps (R5 x 10) divided by horizontal gutter.
  • Quantity: 16,238,000
Sheet Numbers