Feral and roaming cats are the leading human-related killer of birds across the globe.
In fact, all of the other causes of bird deaths, such as building glass and poisons, do not come close to the mortality rate attributed to cats.
There’s no question: cats are lovable companions and efficient hunters. But when left unsupervised, they can be harmful to birds and other populations.
By the numbers:
100 million
2.4 billion
63 species
free-roaming cats in North America—most of which are not pets, but “wild” feral cats
birds killed yearly by outdoor cats in the U.S. and Canada
of birds, mammals, and other small animals whose extinction has been attributed to free-roaming cats
So, what can we do?
- Keep cats indoors. If they need to go out, ensure they are supervised.
- Spay or neuter cats to mitigate over-populating and stray cats.
- Ensure birdfeeders are high enough that cats can’t easily reach them.
- Support local shelters that rehome stray or wild cats.
- Learn more about birds and how to help them thrive.
Interested in learning more?
Check out these related helpful resources:
Buffalo Audubon Society
Dedicated to connecting with and protecting the natural world through bird-focused activities, advocacy, and habitat restoration
Header photo by David Clode on Unsplash