Critters of the Week

Where Spotted: Dutch Gap Conservation Area
Common Name: Prothonotary Warbler aka Golden Swamp Warbler
Scientific Name: Protonotaria citrea
Length: 5.1 in
Weight: 0.44 oz
Wingspan: 8.75 in

Quick Facts

• Males establish territories by singing, vigorous displays, chases, and fighting.
• Males place small amounts of moss into the nest cavity, building dummy nests, but only the female builds a real nest.
• The name “Prothonotary” originally referred to a group of official scribes in the Catholic Church who wore bright yellow hoods, as this bird appears to do.
• The prothonotary warbler became known in the 1940s as the bird that, in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee, established a connection between Whittaker Chambers and Alger Hiss. Chambers had testified that Hiss enjoyed bird-watching, and once bragged about seeing a prothonotary warbler. Hiss later testified to the same incident, causing many members to become convinced of the pair’s acquaintance.
• John James Audubon’s painting of a prothonotary warbler is the third plate in his Birds of America.

Oxford Comma at Richmond SPCA

Oxford Comma is the name…don’t wear it out! I can be a bit of a stickler for grammar, but I promise I won’t get on you too much! If you’re in need of a sophisticated pal, come meet me at the Richmond SPCA!

Age: 4 years, 1 month
Gender: Neutered Male
Color: Grey / White
Declawed: No
ID: 43933999

Learn more about their adoption process.

To reduce visitor traffic, during the COVID-19 outbreak they are scheduling adoption appointments beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Please leave your phone number in a voicemail or email and an adoption counselor will call to set an appointment for you to meet with a pet. Email the adoption center or call 804-521-1307.

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