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Details:
applies to all the above
R2
METAL: Ag 0.925 / Cu 75
WEIGHT: 33.626 grams
DIAMETER: 38.70 mm
EAGLES
Following the Marine Life Series (1997 - 2002) a new series is depicted on the 2003 R2 and the 2½ cent tickey sterling silver coins called Birds of Prey. The first theme to feature on the 2003 Birds of Prey coins is the Eagle. Both the Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) and the Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) were chosen to represent the majestic African Eagles
THE AFRICAN OWLS
South Africa's largest owl,
the Verreaux's Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus) is featured together with the denomination R2 on the reverse of this coin. Only the face of the Giant Eagle Owl is depicted. This ilustrates the size of the bird and focuses on its distinquishing features, the dark eyes with the pink eyelids and the dark rim of feathers which border the grey face.
THE AFRICAN VULTURES
The Cape Griffon (Gyps coprotheres) is endemic to southern Africa where it breeds in colonies on large cliff faces. Once widespread, the Cape Griffon's numbers have drastically declined due to the natural habitat destruction. In South Africa conservation efforts and educational campaigns have resulted in a high degree of awarness and understanding of vultures and a concerted effort to make the human environment more "vulture friendly"..
THE SECRETARY BIRD
Although Secretary Birds are usually seen on the ground, their nest is built inside the top of flat-topped trees or thick bush. Thorn trees are favoured and the nest is always difficult to see from the ground and almost impossible to approach from the ground.
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