Cats are natural hunters, so to find your cat predating on baby birds is not unusual. However, while this predation instinct is part of cat behaviour, it can pose a serious threat to wildlife. This is a particular concern for young and vulnerable birds during nesting season. If you’re a cat owner who wants to protect wild birds while keeping your cat happy and enriched, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of your cats predating on baby birds.
Why Is It Important to Reduce Cats Predating on Baby Birds?
During spring and summer, fledglings often leave the nest before they are fully capable of flying. These young birds may spend time on the ground or low in shrubs as they develop their flight muscles. This makes them especially vulnerable to predators, including domestic cats. Studies have shown that pet cats kill millions of birds each year in the UK alone, which can have a significant impact on local bird populations (Trouwborst et al., 2022). Cats are not the primary cause of bird declines, but rather other factors like farming practices (Rigal et al., 2023). Despite this, reducing predation may help to support wildlife and maintain ecological balance.
How to Reduce the Risk of Cats Predating on Baby Birds
1. Keep Cats Indoors at Key Times
Cats are most active during dawn and dusk. Keeping your cat indoors during these peak times can significantly reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a fledgling. If your cat is used to going outside, gradually adjusting their routine by providing indoor enrichment during these times can help make the transition easier.
2. Use a Quick-Release Collar With a Bell
Research suggests that cats wearing a collar with a bell are less successful at catching birds (Baker et al., 2008). The sound warns birds of an approaching cat, giving them a better chance to escape. Choose a quick-release collar to ensure your cat’s safety in case they get caught on branches or fences. Colourful collars can further reduce hunting success by making cats more visible to birds.
3. Make Your Garden Less Appealing for Hunting
If you feed birds in your garden, position feeders high up and away from dense shrubbery or low branches where cats could hide and ambush them. Using feeder guards or caged bird feeders can help protect small birds while they eat. Additionally, you could consider humane deterrents, such as planting spiny plants like holly or scattering gravel around the base of bird tables. This can discourage cats from sitting on or climbing on the uncomfortable surface below the table.
4. Provide Plenty of Indoor Enrichment
A well-stimulated cat is less likely to seek hunting opportunities outdoors. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and regular play sessions with wand toys can help satisfy their natural hunting instincts in a safe way. Scratching posts, climbing trees, and window perches also give cats mental and physical exercise. This may reduce their need to stalk prey outside. You can also clicker-train your cat to perform certain behaviours for rewards, like following a target stick. Training using reward-based methods can be highly rewarding and mentally stimulating for cats.
5. Consider a Cat-Friendly Containment System
If you want to give your cat outdoor access while protecting wildlife, consider installing cat-proof fencing around your garden or a containment system (e.g. a ‘Catio’). These systems prevent cats from leaving your garden while still allowing them to roam and explore safely. Some cats adapt well to enclosed gardens, especially when introduced gradually with positive reinforcement and plenty of enrichment. Many companies sell the materials for you to secure your garden yourself, or they will come and do this for you. Make sure to provide plenty of scratching opportunities, placing to hide and climb, and toys within the enclosed space.
Balancing Cat Welfare and Wildlife Protection
It’s natural to want to let your cat enjoy the outdoors, but as responsible pet owners, it’s also important to take steps to protect vulnerable wildlife. By making small changes to your cat’s routine and environment, you can help reduce the risk of your cat predating on baby birds while ensuring your cat stays safe and happy. Whether it’s adjusting outdoor access, adding enrichment activities, or using protective collars, these measures can make a real difference in supporting local bird populations.
How Second Nature Behaviour Can Help
Did you know that we can help with cat training? Many owners don’t realise that cats can be trained just like dogs! Our one-to-one training sessions can teach your cat target training, recall, and enrichment activities that provide mental stimulation and reduce hunting behaviour. For cats with deeper behavioural challenges, such as stress-related issues, aggression, or inappropriate toileting, we also offer cat behaviour consultations.
Our expert team, including registered Clinical Animal Behaviourists and a Veterinary Behaviourist, provides tailored support to help improve your cat’s well-being. Get in touch to find out how we can help both you and your cat live in harmony with the local wildlife!
References
Baker, P.J., Molony, S.E., Stone, E., Cuthill, I.C. and Harris, S. (2008) ‘Cats about town: Is predation by free-ranging pet cats Felis catus likely to affect urban bird populations?’, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1-2), pp. 1–13. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2005.07.002.
Rigal, S., Jiguet, F., Doxa, A., Schatz, B. and Couvet, D. (2023) ‘Farmland practices are driving bird population decline across Europe’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(11), e2216573120. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2216573120.
Trouwborst, A., Black, J., Lin, Y., O’Rourke, E. and De Snoo, G. (2022) ‘Regulating cat predation on wildlife in the European Union: A legal analysis and policy recommendations’, Landscape and Urban Planning, 218, p. 104309. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104309.