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Killer cats - But it is avoidable04/10/2011 16:54:12
Tabby with prey - Photo copyright Doug Mackenzie Dodds A picture can tell more than 1000 wordsOctober 2011. Cats kill an estimated 55 million birds in Britain every year and such predation could be contributing to long-term declines of garden birds like House Sparrows. Few householders like to see it; a pile of feathers on the lawn or a dead bird dropped neatly at the foot of the bed. Historically, predation of birds by cats was not considered a big issue - indeed, in the 19th Century it was thought that without cats some urban areas might be overrun by House Sparrows! However, the huge number of birds that are taken by cats annually could contribute to the long-term decline of species like House Sparrow. Because of their ground-feeding behaviour, other familiar garden birds, such as Robin and Dunnock, may also suffer from the activities of our cats - though there is no direct evidence for this. Avoidable Dr Tim Harrison, of the British Trust for Ornithology, commented "Gardens contain important breeding populations of red-listed species such as Starling, Song thrush and Spotted flycatcher. With around nine million cats in the UK and only 59,000 pairs of Spotted Flycatchers, it is easy to see why some people are concerned about cat predation." Free guideFor a free BTO guide on cats and garden birds or for more information about BTO Garden BirdWatch please telephone 01842 750050, email gbw@bto.org or write to GBW Cat Guide, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU. Doug's photo was "Highly Commended" in the recent British Wildlife Photography Awards. 70 of the winning and highly commended images from the awards can be seen at the new wildlife exhibition, WildlifeXpo, being held in London on October 14th & 15th.A picture tells more than 1000 words - Photo by Doug Mackenzie Dodds
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Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
Re: "Healthy birds will be more swift that cats and will not be caught." As much as cat owners want to believe this it's simply not true.,
I've seen cats leap into the air and snag birds and bats on the wing. They take fledglings just learning to fly, they creep up on feeding birds.
As cute as they are domestic cats are a non-native species hunting down native birds, bats, snakes, etc.
Owners who let their cats loose on the environment are also responsible for their cats getting parasites, getting hit by cars and being attacked by dogs whose yards their cats invade. Their cats, their fault.
Posted by: Jamie | 26 Dec 2011 04:26:33
The pesticide industry targets mice and rats and profits by fearful imaginations and the will to destroy. The rodents would make up a large percentage of the cat's diet if they were available. There are several adds for animal destruction on this page to prove my point.
Posted by: williamb | 08 Oct 2011 16:00:35
why are people nuetering cats and rereleasing them to continue there slaughter.
Posted by: david | 08 Oct 2011 14:05:45
Using collars on free ranging cats will may end in your cat hanging itself when it climbs through your neighborhood.
Not to mention that a constant ringing by a bell right at your neck must get on your nerves.
House sparrows do not decline because of cats, but because farms and similar habitats decline. They need straw and hay and things like this for breeding and finding their food. It's because of habitat decline that their numbers fall. At least to a much higher degree than house cats.
Feed birds only on places that are cat safe, not on the ground or easily accessible platforms.
Healthy birds will be more swift that cats and will not be caught.
Safe or reestablish the habitat of the house sparrow and other declining bird species instead. It will help them much more than asking cats not to hunt.
Posted by: KiarasArt | 08 Oct 2011 11:02:26
One of the best ways to stop cats catching birds is to make sure that the cat is kept in at night. Far too many owners let their cats stay out all night, or even put them out. This also increases the hazards to cats. It is even better if they are indoors during dawn and dusk - birds are often feeding at these times.
Posted by: Andrea Polden | 07 Oct 2011 23:48:46