Critters of the Week

Where Spotted: Wetlands
Common Name: Gadwall
Scientific Name: Mareca strepera
Length: 18.1-22.4 in (46-57 cm)
Weight: 17.6-44.1 oz (500-1250 g)
Wingspan: 33.1 in (84 cm)

Quick Facts Courtesy of Cornell Lab

• Gadwall sometimes steal food from American Coots and from other ducks.
• Gadwall have increased in numbers since the 1980s, partly because of conservation of wetlands and adjacent uplands in their breeding habitat through the Conservation Reserve Program and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Their habit of nesting on islands within marshes gives them some protection from predators.
• Female Gadwall produce an egg a day while they are laying their 7–12-egg clutches. To meet their demand for protein during this stressful time, female Gadwall eat more invertebrates than males during this period—in addition to using reserves of nutrients they’ve stored in their bodies during the winter.
• The oldest known Gadwall was a male, and at least 19 years, 6 months old. He was banded in Saskatchewan in 1962 and shot during hunting season in Louisiana in 1981.

If you’re a fan of original content like those photos above be sure to give our Instagram and Dickie’s Backyard Bird Blind Bonanza on FB a follow and consider making a donation.

[wpedon id=”165378″]

Wheat Thin at Richmond SPCA

Hi! My name is Wheat Thin and I’m a cute, curious 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’d like to take me home, call the Richmond SPCA adoption center to schedule a time to meet me!

Age: 4 years, 5 months
Gender: Spayed Female
Color: Black / White
Size: XL (dog size guide)
ID: 45419238

 

Adopt Wheat Thin at the Richmond SPCA

In response to COVID-19 and in order to reduce visitor traffic, observe necessary social distancing and to best protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and members of the public, Richmond SPCA have transitioned to adoptions by appointment only. Please review their adoption appointment process.