Front:
25USA
28
1988
22210
Balhe)
VA
Back:
SAW-WHET OWL
First Day of Issue: May 28, 1988
First Issue Location: Arlington, Virginia
Measuring a mere seven to eight inches, the tiny, tuftless
saw-whet owl is truly a bird of the night. Hunting the
dense forests of the Northern United States and Canada -
its short wings enabling it to maneuver easily among the
trees — the saw-whet owl will sleep by day. Perhaps
because of this, and its small size, this charming bird is
seldom spotted by man. Often, the only clue to its
presence is the mellow whistle used at mating time. A
curious call sounding like the sharpening of a saw, gives
this little bird its name. Thus, the saw-whet owl blends
well in the coniferous forest surroundings it inhabits. If
sited, it is found to be amazingly tame, allowing people to
come relatively close for a better look. In daylight hours,
the saw-whet owl will roost in the peaceful solitude of
dense evergreen trees. Issued as part of a booklet pane of
two wildlife stamps, the stamp on this Maximum Card
depicts the tiny saw-whet owl.
No. 88-27
©1988 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Don Balke
