2016-02-25 Thu

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Birds Convention, the Royal Canadian Mint has begun a four-coin series of Proof .9999 fine silver $20 coins depicting various birds that are protected through this Act.

The reverse of the first coin in this series is designed by Canadian artist Claudio D’Angelo. It features a side profile of a mountain bluebird in flight over an open meadow, near which a nest box sits on a fence post alongside a rocky stream.

The mountain bluebird is a medium-sized bird that has light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills and are bright turquoise-blue and somewhat lighter underneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, grey breast, grey crown, throat and back. In fresh fall plumage, the female's throat and breast are tinged with red-orange, brownish near the flank contrasting with white tail underparts.

The other three coins in the program will celebrate the American avocet, American goldfinch, and pileated woodpecker.