Composition : 99.99% silver
Mintage : 20,000

Flying Jewel and the Magic Flower

Early Spanish explorers called hummingbirds joyas voladoras, or "flying jewels". Native to the Americas, hummingbirds are the smallest and among the most fascinating birds in the world.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), Canada's most common hummingbird species, measures only7 to 9 centimetres and usually weighs about 4 grams. But the hummingbird's tiny size is only one of its many unique traits.

Hummingbird wings beat at an astonishing rate of between 50 and 80 times per second. These amazing wings can also rotate 180 degrees on both the forestroke and the backstroke, giving hummingbirds a level of manoeuvrability unknown to other birds. They are the only birds in the world thatconsistently fly backwards. Hovering and flying sideways are other common manoeuvres of this exceptional animal, who uses these tactics against intruders to aggressively defend food sources.

Hummingbirds are known to be attracted to red flowers in particular. Experts believe this may be a competitive trait. Insects are attracted to some colours, but cannot see red, while hummingbirds seem to see it quite well. This distinction gives hummingbirds an advantage in spotting plants that may not be as frequently visited by the birds' invertebrate competitors. Flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds have adapted in many ways to being pollinated by these birds.

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Canadian gardeners can easily grow the often colourful cultivars of Morning Glory that are annuals. Because they grow quickly and - particularly when red in colour - are a favourite of hummingbirds, they make an excellent addition to any Canadian garden.
 

HUMMINGBIRD AND MORNING GLORY - 2013 CANADIAN COINS is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 10- FLORA, FAUNA & NATURE and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.