Critters of the Week

If you like these photos be sure to give our Instagram and Dickie’s Backyard Bird Blind Bonanza on FB a follow. I try to follow ethical photography practices when photographing our wild critters. I use a long lens (hope to upgrade soon) and try not to disturb the animal. In this case, the owl was happily preening and very tolerant of me being nearby. The owl then flew into a nearby creek to bathe. It stopped splashing as soon as it spotted me, so I quickly took one shot then backed away. Just a little background on my methodology and know it is never my intention to disturb a bird or animal to get “the shot”.  Thanks, RWH

Where Spotted: Westover Hills near Nickel Bridge
Common Name: Barred Owl
Scientific Name: Strix varia
Length: 16.9-19.7 in (43-50 cm)
Weight: 16.6-37.0 oz (470-1050 g)
Wingspan: 39.0-43.3 in (99-110 cm)

Quick Facts (Cornell Lab)

• The Great Horned Owl is the most serious predatory threat to the Barred Owl. Although the two species often live in the same areas, a Barred Owl will move to another part of its territory when a Great Horned Owl is nearby.
• Pleistocene fossils of Barred Owls, at least 11,000 years old, have been dug up in Florida, Tennessee, and Ontario.
• Barred Owls don’t migrate, and they don’t even move around very much. Of 158 birds that were banded and then found later, none had moved farther than 6 miles away.
• Despite their generally sedentary nature, Barred Owls have recently expanded their range into the Pacific Northwest. There, they are displacing and hybridizing with Spotted Owls—their slightly smaller, less aggressive cousins—which are already threatened from habitat loss.
• Young Barred Owls can climb trees by grasping the bark with their bill and talons, flapping their wings, and walking their way up the trunk.
• The oldest recorded Barred Owl was at least 24 years, 1 month old. It was banded in Minnesota in 1986, and found dead, entangled in fishing gear, in the same state in 2010.

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Ruth at Richmond SPCA

Hi! My name is Ruth and I’m a cute, curious little lady looking for my place in this world and I hope that it’s with you! I love to play with toys and then have a cuddle session afterwards. I am quite silly and sure to keep you smiling with my antics. If you’re looking for a loving pal, call the Richmond SPCA adoption center to set up an appointment!

Age: 8 years,
Gender: Spayed Female
Color: Brown / White
Size: L (dog size guide)
ID: 45220237

Adopt Ruth at Richmond SPCA

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.