CANADA
2014
Birds Of Canada Scarlet Tanager
25 Cents Coloured Coin
Specification:
RCM Number: 130582
Face Value: 25 Cents
Mintage: 17,500
Composition: Cupronickel
Weight: 12.61 g
Diameter: 35.0 mm
Edge: Plain
Finish: Specimen (with colour on the reverse)
Artist: Pierre Leduc (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
The glorious scarlet tanager is one of the easiest birds to identify across the mixed forests of eastern Canada. The male is especially impressive with its striking scarlet body, black wings and black tail. The females are yellow-green with grey-black wings.
This beautiful bird changes colour for its winter migration to South America. The male's late-summer moult results in a significant transformation as he trades his crimson plumage for the same olive-yellow tint as the female, but keeps his black wings and tail.
The scarlet tanager builds its nests in the forest canopy, on the upper and outermost branches of oaks, beech, hemlocks, and occasionally poplar and birch. This pretty songbird prefers fairly large forests with lots of large trees, but Canadians can occasionally catch a glimpse of the scarlet tanager's red or yellow feathers in backyard gardens or parks during spring and fall migration.
A beautiful gift for people who love birds, natural imagery, exquisite natural artwork and Canadian themes