Critters of the Week
Critters of the Week
A wild critter we spotted in the RVA area and a critter up for adoption by Richmond SPCA.
Where Spotted: Bryan Park
Common Name: Northern Parula
Scientific Name: Setophaga americana
Length: 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
Weight: 0.2-0.4 oz (5-11 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm)
Quick Facts Courtesy of Cornell Lab
- Before this species received the name Northern Parula (a diminutive form of parus, meaning little titmouse), Mark Catesby, an English naturalist, called it a “finch creeper” and John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson called it a “blue yellow-backed warbler.”
- Northern Parulas have an odd break in their breeding range. They breed from Florida north to the boreal forest of Canada, but skip parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and some states in the Northeast. The reason for their absence may have to do with habitat loss and increasing air pollution, which affects the growth of moss on trees that they depend on for nesting.
- Northern Parulas in the western part of their range sound different than those in the eastern part of their range. Western birds sing longer, less buzzy songs.
- Northern Parulas are usually considered an eastern warbler, but they occasionally breed along California’s coast as well as in New Mexico and Arizona.
- Some bird names are hard to pronounce, and the Northern Parula has started its share of lively debates. Most people say “par-OOH-la” or “PAR-eh-la,” while others say “PAR-you-la.”
- The oldest recorded Northern Parula was a female at least 5 years, 11 months old, when she was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Maryland.
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Booger at Richmond SPCA
Age: 3 years, 5 months
Gender: Spayed Female
Color: Grey / White
Declawed: No
ID: 46034951Booger is a silly, outgoing girl who loves people and wants all the attention she can get. Sometimes she gets so wound up by receiving affection that she may love-bite, but have no fear, this sweet lady just has a hard time containing her joy!
Booger has spent some time in foster care and her foster had this to say:
Shy is not the adjective for Booger. Within minutes of meeting you, she will playfully bonk your hand to get you to pet her. Though she’s always been social, she has gotten more talkative as she’s gotten more comfortable. She won’t hesitate to let you know it’s past dinnertime!
Booger is the biggest fan of proximity affection! Supervising your cooking? She loves it. Cuddling during a movie? She’s down. Watching you pee? Absolutely. She may not want to sit in your lap all the time, but she will always want to be within eyesight. She’s at her cuddliest in the morning, when she’ll even lick you or knead to remind you that she loves you.
Booger is a fan of television, and not just YouTube cat videos. She watches Netflix attentively, and she shows a clear preference for certain characters. She also loves toys with rattles, especially ones on sticks that can drag on the ground. Chin tickles and butt rubs are yet more of Booger’s favorite things.
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 thier staff and members of the public, Richmond SPCA has transitioned to adoptions by appointment only. Please review their adoption appointment process.
