Northern Cardinal and Great Egret

Spotted two birds on our afternoon walk at Jackson Park. Northern Cardinal 8-9" (20-23 cm). Male, bright red with crest, black face, stout red bill. [Female buff-brown tinged with red on crest, wings, and tail.] Rich voiced: "what-cheer, cheer, cheer; purty-purty-purty-purty or sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet". Also a metallic chip.  

Photos: Marge Ishmael

Second bird was a Great Egret: found near water, salt or fresh, and feed in wetlands, streams, ponds, tidal flats, and other areas. They snare prey by walking slowly or standing still for long periods, waiting for an animal to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills. The deathblow is delivered with a quick thrust of the sharp bill, and the prey is swallowed whole. Fish are a dietary staple, but great egrets use similar techniques to eat amphibians, reptiles, mice, and other small animals.