Photo du Jour 12 March 2009

A pigeon enjoys a free CTA train ride on Christmas Day, 2006. (The humans on board had to pay full fare.)

After this photo was taken, another passenger and I shooed the bird off the train when the doors opened at the next station. Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Cool Stuff...

Cockatiel on the Beach

A cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was spotted on Loyola Park's beach on August 10, and The Bench got photos. Most likely an escapee, the bird seems quite happy to be munching on seeds and flower buds in the dune area just north of the Pratt pier. Cockatiels are native to Australia's arid interior. Let's hope the little guy either returns to his cage or is smart enough to fly south before Fall sets in. Or, for that matter, before a local hawk eats him.

Bench Exclusive: Murder Most Fowl

A murder victim was found by The Bench this afternoon in Rogers Park, Chicago. The victim's chest was ripped open, the heart was removed and the head was missing. The photo here shows the decapitated victim lying near the sidewalk on N. Glenwood, about 20 feet from W. Pratt. The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The killer is thought to be a falcon or a hawk. Experts believe a cat would have made more of a mess of the victim. Neighbors are asked to be on the lookout for any suspicious birds of prey.

Predator in Rogers Park

Big thanks to George for sending these amazing photos of a falcon eating a pigeon in Rogers Park, Chicago. Nice work, George!