US postage stamp, 1995
"American Kestrel"
Scott #2477
Issued: May 10, 1995 - Aurora, CO
Quantity: 300,000,000
Designer: Michael Matherly
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing (Lithographed)
With its slate blue and rust plumage, the kestrel makes a colorful and visually unique addition to U.S. postage stamps. A relative of the falcon, this small bird of prey is also known as a "sparrow hawk." Found throughout the United States, it usually makes its home in hollowed out trees or nests deserted by other birds. In 1995, this stamp was reprinted. This reprinted version differed from the original stamp in several ways; the new stamp utilizes a cent sign (¢) and also bears the year date 1995 in the lower left-margin.