Omniva issues a photo stamp dedicated to the Common Swift, Estonia’s Bird of the Year
On 7 May, Omniva will issue a postage stamp dedicated to the Common Swift, Estonia’s Bird of the Year 2026. Created as a photo stamp, the issue highlights one of the most characteristic birds of the Estonian summer while drawing attention to the links between urban nature and historic architectural heritage. The stamp was designed by Riho Luuse using a photograph by nature photographer Arne Ader.
The Common Swift is one of the most recognisable birds of the Estonian urban summer. It spends most of its life in the air, catching insects in flight while also resting and sleeping on the wing. With its crescent-shaped wings, rapid flight and piercing calls, the bird is familiar to manypeople in Estonia. Although the swift resembles a swallow in appearance, the two species are not closely related.
In Estonia, Common Swifts often nest in cavities of buildings, under eaves and in other hidden places, making the species closely connected to settlements and older architectural heritage. As a result, renovation works and the loss of nesting sites directly affect swift populations.
“As Bird of the Year, the Common Swift draws attention both to the unique character of Estonia’s urban nature and to the need to keep our living environment accessible to species that have nested alongside humans for centuries. The swift symbolises freedom, resilience and thevibrant rhythm of the Estonian summer,” said Hannes Nagel, Head of Philately at Omniva.
The stamp has been designed as a photo stamp, following recent international philatelic trends and bringing nature to postage stamps in a direct and realistic way.
“This issue has a slightly smaller print run than usual and is this year’s only nature-themed stamp printed on traditional stamp paper. It complements Estonia’s first self-adhesive fauna and flora stamp sheet, released earlier this spring and quickly sold out,” added Nagel.
The Common Swift stamp is priced at €1.80 and is suitable for domestic mail. The print run is 12,000 copies. The stamps have been printed by Vaba Maa printing house and are available in Omniva’s e-shop and post offices across Estonia. The first day cancellation mark will be used at the Tallinn Kaubamaja post office.
In 2026, Omniva will issue 46 stamps dedicated to important themes and events in the history and culture of the Estonian state and society. Omniva’s stamps are printed on paper carrying the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for responsible forestry. The FSC labelconfirms that the wood used for the paper originates from responsibly managed forests.