This fine 20 c. multicoloured bird stamp was part of the second Birds issue of Ecuador (158) and depicts a Cardinal. Designed by Delgado and lithographed by De La Rue. Perf 13 ½ x 13.
The Red-Crested Cardinal (Paroaria cucullata) is widespread across South America, resident in wet scrub and bushy woodland. Upperparts grey, scarlet; underparts white; legs grey, bill horn brown, eyes dark brown. Hardy in captivity.
If you check Google for images of Paroaria cucullata you will see that the bird on the stamp is nothing like this species. I and others list this bird as Masked Crimson Tanager (Ramphocelus nigrogularis), which has a lot of similarities, but the extended central tail feathers are wrong.