Great Egret (Casmerodius albus / Ardea alba)

The Great Egret (Ardea alba, historically classified in the genus Casmerodius) is a large, cosmopolitan wading bird in the heron family (Ardeidae). Common across the marshes, riverbanks, tidal estuaries, and coastal mangroves of Somalia particularly along the fertile Juba and Shabelle river systems the bird is recognized by its immaculate white plumage, long S-shaped neck, black legs and feet, and a heavy dagger-like yellow bill (which darkens during breeding).

Feeding by standing motionless in shallow water to spear fish, frogs, and aquatic insects, the Great Egret plays an important role in freshwater and coastal wetland ecosystems. Designed by Corrado Mancioli for the 1959 wildlife airmail series, the stamp depicts the egret in graceful flight enclosed within the stylized red "S" ribbon, set against a soft sky-blue background with an airborne airliner cruising in the distance to symbolize swift air postal transport.