It can be difficult for cat lovers to accept that these adorable felines are responsible for the decline of wildlife and birds around the world, such as pigeons or sparrows, but also endangered species of extinction.
Although this is a very common behavior of these predators, it is important to know why cats hunt birds and what real consequences exist after this behavior. In this article on our site we will answer your questions, keep reading:
Why do cats kill pigeons and other birds?
Cats are natural predators and hunt primarily for food and survival. She is the mother who teaches the young kittens the hunting sequence, a common teaching in wild cats but unusual in a big city. Also, regardless of their upbringing, cats practice their hunting skills even if they're not hungry.
For that reason, even if a cat lives in a home where it is cared for and fed, it can develop a strong hunting urge, which will help you learn about speed, power, distance and pursuit.
It is common for mothers to bring dead prey to their puppies, which is why many sterilized female cats bring dead animals to their owners, mainly due to the cat's maternal instinct. According to the study "Domestic Cat Predation on Wildlife" by Michael Woods, Robbie A. McDoland and Stephen Harris applied to 986 cats, 69% of the hunted prey were mammals and 24% birds.
Are cats responsible for the extinction of some birds?
Domestic cats are estimated to kill around 9 birds a year, a figure that may seem low when dealing with a single individual, but very high if the total number of cats in a country is analyzed.
Cats have been listed as an invasive species by the International Union for Conservation, as they have allegedly contributed to the extinction of 33 speciesof birds worldwide. In the list we find:
- The Chatham Bellbird (New Zealand)
- Chatham Fernbird (New Zealand
- Chatham Rail (New Zealand)
- Caracara de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Island)
- Bonin Grosbeak (Ogasawara Island)
- North Island Snipe (New Zealand)
- Scapular Woodpecker (Guadalupe Island)
- Macquarie's Parrot (Macquarie Island)
- Choiseul Partridge-Dove (Solomon Islands)
- Spotted Scraper (Guadalupe Island)
- Hawaiian Chick (Hawaii)
- Ruby Wren (Mexico)
- White-faced Owl (New Zealand)
- Bewick's Wren (New Zealand)
- Lyall's Xenicus (Stephens Island)
- South Island piopio (New Zealand)
- Scrub Acantisite (New Zealand)
- Socorro Turtle Dove (Socorro Island)
- Bonin Thrush (Bonin Island)
As can be seen, the extinct birds all belonged to different islands, where there were no cats, and the fact is that on the islands, the endemic habitat is much more fragile. In addition, all of the aforementioned birds became extinct in the 20th century, when European settlers introduced cats, rats, and dogs from their native countries.
It is also important to note that most of the birds on this list lost their ability to fly due to lack of predators, especially in New Zealand, making them easier prey for felines and other animals.
Statistics: city cats vs country cats
The study "The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States" published by the Journal of Nature Communications states that cats kill birds during first years of life, when they are agile enough to jump on top of them. It also explains that 2 out of 3 birds were killed by stray cats According to biologist Roger Tabor, one cat in a village will kill an average of 14 birds, while than a cat in the city only 2.
The decrease in predators in rural areas (such as coyotes in the US), abandonment and the great reproductive capacity of cats, has led them to be considered a plague. However, other factors such as deforestation by humans have also favored the decline in the population of native birds.
How to prevent a cat from hunting?
Popular belief suggests that putting a bell on a cat can help alert potential victims, but the truth is, According to the Mammal Society, birds detect the feline through sight rather than the sound of its bell. That's because cats learn to walk without the chime of the rattle, so the number of prey hunted doesn't decrease. Also, it is not good to put a bell on our cat.
The only 100% effective measure to prevent the death of native species is keep the domestic cat indoors and create a fence security on our balcony so you can access the outside. It would also be convenient to sterilize wild cats to prevent population growth, a costly and very complicated task carried out by organizations around the world.
