"Birds of Israel" set

"Birds of Israel" Set of Eight 0.5oz. Silver 999 Medals

The series features the beautiful birds of Israel with their vibrant colors.
The common reverse design presents a satellite view showing Israel at the center of the world and, around the border, angles and directions of the compass, symbolizing the "inner compass" of the birds that directs them to Israel.

HOOPOE (Upupa epops)
The majestic-looking hoopoe, elected Israel's national bird, is found in Israel's home gardens and lawns. It nests in hollows in rocks or in holes in tree trunks and feeds on worms and insects.

WARBLER (Prinia gracilis)
The warbler is one of the smallest of the singing birds in Israel. Found in trees and bushes where it builds its nest, it uses its long tail to move quickly between the branches. It feeds on small insects, seeds and fruit.

VULTURE (Gyps fulvus)
The Griffon vulture is a large bird of prey and an endangered species which nests in mountainous areas on cliff ledges. One of the biggest vulture nesting areas in Israel is on the Gamla cliffs in the north of Israel. With a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters, the vulture soars to great heights in search of food, feeding on carcasses of dead animals.

LESSER KESTREL (Falco naumanni)
The Lesser Kestrel is a small falcon and bird of prey. It feeds on invertebrates and insects and nests in hilly areas or in roof tops, close to open areas where it finds its prey. Conservation projects are underway to save this threatened species, whose areas of prey are diminishing.

KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis)
The Kingfisher stands out with its bright turquoise, red and brown colors. Found in wet areas, it perches on high branches, roofs and wires, from where it swoops down onto its prey. In addition to fish, it feeds on amphibians, rodents, fish, crustaceans, birds and insects.

GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)
The Goldfinch is one of Israel's beautiful and brightly colored song birds. It feeds on seeds from thistles, using its sharply pointed beak. Hunted as a cage bird, it has been disappearing from the landscape of Israel and declared a protected species.

SUNBIRD (Nectarinia osea)
A small bird, only about 10 cm long and weighing only about 8 grams, the Sunbird flies from flower to flower, sipping nectar, which is the origin of its Latin name. The male bird has brilliant blue-green and violet metallic colors. With gardens and flowers becoming popular in Israel, the Sunbird has become much more common all over the country.

BARN OWL (Tyto alba)
The Barn Owl is a nocturnal bird of prey. It is capable of completing three nesting periods in one season and of hunting about 2,000 rodents in one nesting period. It also hunts in complete darkness and hence its importance to man as a biological pest controller.
 

Obverse (Bird) Design: Igal Gabay

Common Reverse of the Series: The Land of Israel at the center of the world as seen from a satellite map. Around the border, the angles and directions of a compass, symbolizing the "inner compass" of birds that directs them to the Land of Israel.