Beauty on the Wing: The Wood Duck

The Wood Duck's Latin name, Aix sponsa, means  "bird in wedding raiment" - and this striking duck is well suited to its flattering Latin nomenclature. Some experts consider it the most beautiful waterfowl in North America.

The male in his breeding colours has striking red eyes and a graceful red, yellow, and white bill tipped with black. The feathers of his iridescent green crested head change colour as they shift in the light, ranging from bright grass-green to intense violet. Layered over this lovely colouring is a unique white outline marking. His warm chestnut-brown breast is spotted in white and meets his bright white belly feathers in a graceful semicircular pattern. The upper side of his wing and back feathers are iridescent, with metallic-looking colouring that is unique among North American ducks. His flanks are golden yellow. The female, though more muted than the male, is still striking in contrast to other ducks and far showier than females of most duck species.

This coin isthe second issue of the Ducks of Canada collection.
The first coin of the series, released in March 2013, depicts the Mallard.
The second coin of the series, released in July 2013, depicts the Wood Duck.
The third coin of the series, released in March 2014, depicts the Pintail.
The fourth coin of the series, released in September 2014, depicts the Harlequin Duck.
The fifth coin of the series, released in March 2015, depicts the Cinnamon Teal.
The sixth and the last coin of the series, released in August 2015, depicts the Canvasback.

DUCKS OF CANADA - THE WOOD DUCK - 2013 CANADIAN COINS 02 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 10- FLORA, FAUNA & NATURE and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.