Critters of the Week
Critters of the Week
A wild critter we spotted in the RVA area and a critter up for adoption by SPCA.
Side note, the “crown” gets much more noticeable when the bird is excited. See an example here.
Where Spotted: Wetlands
Common Name: Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
Scientific Name: Regulus calendula
Length: 3.5-4.3 in (9-11 cm)
Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz (5-10 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm)
Quick Facts Courtesy of Cornell Labs
- The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny bird that lays a very large clutch of eggs—there can be up to 12 in a single nest. Although the eggs themselves weigh only about a fiftieth of an ounce, an entire clutch can weigh as much as the female herself.
- Ruby-crowned Kinglets seem nervous as they flit through the foliage, flicking their wings nearly constantly. Keeping an eye out for this habit can be a useful aid to identifying kinglets.
- Metabolic studies on Ruby-crowned Kinglets suggest that these tiny birds use only about 10 calories (technically, kilocalories) per day.
- The oldest known Ruby-crowned Kinglet was a female, and at least 4 years, 7 months old, when she was recaptured and re-released during banding operations in California in 2007. She had been banded in the same state in 2003.
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Trebek at Richmond SPCA
Trebek is one handsome outgoing boy! He is a larger frame guy who is so eager to say hello to new friends. Trebek loves rolling around getting all the attention and is always up for a chin scratch or 5. This is one special guy, you don’t want to miss your chance to make him a part of your family.
Age: 5 years,
Gender: Neutered Male
Color: Orange / White
Declawed: No
ID: 46062555
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.
