623) HOOPOE (Upupa epops): First Coin in the "Birds of Israel" Series (2017):

623) HOOPOE (Upupa epops): First in the "Birds of Israel" Series (2017):

For other coins issued in this 8 Coin Series, please visit the following links:

 1) Hoopoe: First coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

2) Warbler: Second Coin in the Birds of Israel Coin Series"

3) Vulture: Third coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

4) Lesser Kestrel: Fourth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

5) Goldfinch: Fifth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

6) Kingfisher: Sixth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

7) Sunbird: Seventh Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

8) Barn Owl: Eighth Coin in the "Birds of Israel Coin Series"

Other interesting posts from Israel:

1) 50 Years of Reunification of Israel: Israel's 69th anniversary 50 Shekel gold coin and 10 Shekel Silver coin issued on 01.08.2017:

2) Centenary of the Battle of Haifa, Israel: Eretz, fought in September 2018 by the Indian cavalry comprising Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers against German and Turkish troops: A commemorative stamp brought out by Israel Post on 06.02.2018:

HOOPOE (Upupa epops):

The hoopoe, which was the winner of the "Israel National Bird Elections" held by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, comes first in the series.

With its majestic crown and appearance, the hoopoe is one of the common birds in Israel found in home gardens and lawns. While Its body is colored with shades of brown, its wings and tail stand out with their black and white stripes. The hoopoe measures about 30 cm in length, has a 45cm wingspan, approximately 90 gram weight and has a long, thin beak.

The hoopoe nests in Israel in hollows in rocks or in holes in tree trunks. The female lays 5 to 8 eggs and the young stay in the nest for about 25 days, reaching full maturity a year after hatching. Hoopoes feed on worms and insects.

The hoopoe, or "duchifat" in Hebrew, is mentioned several times in Jewish sources. Its exact identity has been questioned by our Sages and referred to in Hebrew as “tarnegol habar” (wild rooster) or "nagar tura" in Aramaic (carpenter of the mountain).

The Obverse of the Coin  depicts a hoopoe feeding its young in the bark of a tree by means of its long beak. Inscriptions in English and Hebrew: "Birds of Israel" (on the upper periphery) and "Hoopoe" (on the lower periphery), "The Holy Land Mint logo" and beneath it, the metal fineness ".999 SILVER",  weight "0.5 Oz" and mint year "2017". 

Each of the 8 coins in the Series will exhibit a Common Reverse, with 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.

The specifications of this coin are:  Diameter/Size: 50 mm; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (AG); Weight: 15.5 grams; Coin Quality: Proof with applied colour; Year of Issue: 2017; Designer: Igal Gabay; Quantity/Mintage: 3.600 pieces; Minted by: ICMC (Israel Coins & Medals Corporation) - The Holy Land Mint.

The Box in which the coin is made available together with an information booklet.

The Banner showcasing the Series of eight coins which will depict - Hoopoe, Warbler, Vulture, Lesser Kestrel, Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Sun-Bird and Barn Owl.