2011 Specimen Set – Grey Owl

This year, the aureate dollar features the Great Gray Owl, one of the largest owls in the world (although it weighs less than the great horned owl). This birdcan be found in Canada’s boreal forests from Quebec to Yukon. Like most owls, it relies on its exceptional hearing to hunt-it canhear smallrodents 30 cm (1ft) beneath the snow. When it swoops down to capture its prey, it can break through a crust of snow strong enough to support a human being!