2026 Canada Barn Owl Loon Dollar Specimen

2026 Canada Barn Owl Loon Dollar Specimen

The barn owl is one of the most widely distributed bird species in the world, but in Canada, its future is far from secure. Restricted to southwestern regions of British Columbia and Ontario, where winters are milder, Canada’s barn owls face significant threats from road mortality, climate change and habitat loss—in fact, the smaller, endangered Eastern population is estimated at possibly fewer than a handful of breeding pairs.

The pale owl with the heart-shaped face is the featured star of the 2026 Specimen Dollar, which serves as both tribute and testament. It is a celebration of the barn owl’s ghostly elegance, and a hopeful reminder that with care, habitat protection and conservation, the barn owl can continue to grace our landscapes and stir twilight with its silent flight.

Highlighting the plight of the barn owl.

The barn owl needs mild winters and grassland habitats—open fields, farmlands and meadows—in order to survive. As wooden farm buildings are replaced with more modern (and often bird-proof) structures, there has been a decline in suitable sites for this cavity nester. The loss of foraging habitats due to urbanization and agricultural intensification further impacts the barn owl, leading to increased road mortality as it takes to hunting prey along roadways at night.

The reverse of the Specimen Dollar is by Canadian artist Pierre Girard, whose design highlights the majestic features of the barn owl (Tyto alba). Considered an endangered species both federally and provincially in Ontario, the nocturnal raptor is shown perched on an oak branch that provides an elevated vantage point. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Specifications:
Mintage: 30,000
Composition: Brass-plated steel
Weight: 6.27 g
Diameter: 26.50mm, 11-sided
Edge: Plain
Finish: Specimen
Artists: Pierre Girard (reverse), Steven Rosati (obverse)