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How Much of a Danger Do Cats Pose to Wild Birds and Other Wildlife?
Cats eat birds.
Yes, some cats will never kill a bird, like a cat kept entirely indoors, but outdoors cats - both domesticated and feral - hunt and kill birds.
But how much of an impact do these cats make?
Noone really knows for sure.
Cat and Bird Populations?
Estimates of the current feral cat population, as well as estimates of domesticated cats allowed to roam the outdoors, are just that - estimates. Studies are few and far between, with sometimes obvious deficiencies.
It's even harder to determine wild bird populations and compare increases or decreases in those populations to cat numbers.
Cats Kill How Many Birds?
Birds make up perhaps 20% of a free-ranging cat's diet. Based on the best data, nationwide, cats kill over a 100 million birds a year.
Myths
Contrary to some advice, bells on cats do not prevent bird kills. Also, a well-fed cat will still hunt. Cats hunt from instinct, not necessity.
Cats are not the number one cause of declining bird populations. Habitat loss is.
Bird Kill Prevention
The number one way to prevent domesticated cats from hunting birds is to keep your cat indoors. This is a good thing not just for the birds, but to keep your cat healthy, too. Indoor cats live three times as long than outdoor cats.
For cats roaming wild through your neighborhood, try to locate bird feeders, birdbaths, and bird-attracting plants away from cat hiding places. Remove other sources of food for roaming cats, such as outdoor pet dishes or garbage.
