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Atlantic puffin showcased on special postage stamp

The beloved Atlantic puffin has scored a spot on a special Canada Post stamp showcasing the country's most unique birds.
The Atlantic puffin, Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial bird, will be showcased on a special Canada Post commemorative stamp. (Canada Post/Submitted)

Canada Post is releasing a series of special stamps to showcase Canadian birds, and the beloved Atlantic puffin has made the grade. 

The five-stamp series — designed by illustrator Keith Martin — depicts each bird in a characteristic pose, and features the puffin's "cartoon-like colouring." 

According to Canada Post, the provincial bird is noteworthy as it spends most of its life at sea, and can dive as deep as 60 metres to catch its prey. The main breeding grounds for puffins are along the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador and eastern Quebec. 

Canada Post says this is the first in an ongoing series aimed at celebrating "the diversity of Canada's bird life."

The common raven, the rock ptarmigan, the sharp-tailed grouse and the great horned owl were also chosen.