Critters of the Week

My picture above isn’t great so I’m supplementing it with this awesome photo by Cornell Labs that really shows off the coloring on the duck’s head.

Where Spotted: Belle Isle
Common Name:  Bufflehead aka Most Awesome Named Duck Evah
Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola
Length: 13–16 in
Weight: 9.5–19.4 oz
Wingspan: 5 ft 11 – 7 ft 7 in

Quick Facts

• The Bufflehead nests almost exclusively in holes excavated by Northern Flickers and, on occasion, by Pileated Woodpeckers.
• It rivals the green-winged teal as the smallest American duck.
• Buffleheads are monogamous, and the females return to the same breeding site, year after year.
• Bufflehead fossils from the late Pleistocene (about 500,000 years ago) have been found in Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Texas, and Washington.
• One duck serves as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food.

They Call Me Bertha

Meet Big Bertha!

She’s a hefty ham, but that won’t stop her from fitting in your lap! Bertha is just under 70 pounds, HOUSE TRAINED, crate trained, and super silly.

Bertha is a total people person. She is so excited to meet everyone. She loves to show off her zoomies and how high she can jump for treats! Bertha also loves playing fetch – she’s really good at it!

She may be large, but she’s an energetic spunky gal. Bertha is also known for being a super snuggler. She’s the perfect mix of energy and couch potato. She loves being with people so much that she usually sits on or as close to you as possible. Bertha also knows how much we humans love when a dog rolls over and wiggle, so she will often do this to get extra attention.

Bertha is a QUEEN, she does not care for other animals. In the right hands, she can walk past other dogs without an issue. *Her adopter must be in control and confident* She responds well to verbal correction from her human if she’s being a brat towards dogs. She is also treat motivated, which is great ammo to redirect her focus if she is getting worked up.

Bertha would LOVE to move to the suburbs or the country, where she can have her space to relax. She would not appreciate living in the very dog populated Scott’s Addition or Shockoe Bottom.

She can be sassy with her toys and food sometimes – so no children for Bertha. However, she would love older kids!

If you’re looking looking for a well rounded (pun intended) DIVA, ask to meet Bertha. She is currently an office dog because living in kennels was causing her great distress.

Primary Color: Brown Brindle
Secondary Color: White
Weight: 71.2
Age: 6yrs 2mths 1wks
Sex: Female
Pet ID: 83309

Adopt My Name is Bertha at RACC

Learn more about their Adoption Process or how to Foster A Pet.