- Country:Canada
- Collection:Silver Commemorative $20
- Metal:Silver
- Year:2016
- Denomination:$20
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):1.009
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:5353
- Product type:Coin
While one country's list of protected species may differ from the other, most of Canada's bird species are protected under the provisions of the treaty and the MBCA. The beautiful mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) featured onyour coin enjoys a migratory range that stretches from Canada to Mexico; as such, it is protected both in Canada and the United States under the terms of the treaty, and by federal law.
Sure to brighten up a nature enthusiast or bird lover's collection! Order today!
Special features:
FIRST COIN IN A NEW SERIES that commemorates the centennial of the Migratory Birds Convention, featuring a showcase of some of the colourful bird species protected under its provisions.
SELECTIVE COLOUR OVER DETAILEDENGRAVING brings the mountain bluebird to life in gorgeous detail while showcasing its famous blue-coloured plumage.
A visual celebration of a key conservation milestone and the enduring partnership between Canada and the United States that has resulted in crucial conservation measures in both countries.
99.99% PURE SILVER! This coin is crafted in 99.99% pure silver with mintage set to 6,500 coins worldwide.
GRAPHIC BEAUTY BOX! Packaged in a charming graphic beauty box, your coinadds a splash of nature's bright colours to your collection.
Your coin is GST/HST exempt.
About the Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Claudio D'Angelo, your coin features a stunning side profile of a mountain bluebird in flight over an open meadow, where anest box sits on a fencepost alongside a rocky stream. Finely detailed engraving gives this portrait a beautiful, life-like quality by recreating the songbird's fine features, from its pointed black bill to the feathers of its tail and outstretched wings. Selective colour recreates the mountain bluebird's most defining feature-its dazzling sky-blue plumage-and adds a vibrant, gem-like splash of colour against the engraved rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the background.
Did you know...
Bluebirds are members of the thrush family of birds,which includes the familiar American robin.
Three species of bluebirds are found in Canada: the Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), the Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides).
Although fairly small, the mountain bluebird can withstand short spells of cold weather, even when temperatures hovernear -20 degrees Celsius, so long as it isn't persistently cold weather.
The mountain bluebird prefers a diet of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, spiders and caterpillars;it will also feast on berries, small fruits and seeds.
When it comes to finding a mate, it's not just the male's looks that matter to the female mountain bluebird: her selection is also based on the quality and location of a male's proposed nestingcavity.
The mountain bluebird population was in decline before bird lovers began building and placing nestboxes in open fields and along fence posts, where abreeding pair may opt to build a nest that is sheltered from predators and the elements.
If a predator destroys the eggs or attacks the young in the nest, bluebirds will avoid that nesting site and may move up to 200 kilometres away fromit.
In Canada, the mountain bluebird is migratory, but it is also surprisingly hardy, often returning to its Canadian breeding grounds in March, when the snow and cold still hold the landscape in its grip.
