How Many Birds Do Cats Kill? (Stats + Prevention)

Domestic cats have changed little since they were domesticated between eight and 12,000 years ago. We have always valued our feline companions for their help in controlling rodents, and their ability to prey on small animals has not diminished.

But just how serious are their effects on wild birds?

Many pet owners are surprised to learn that cats kill more than 1 billion birds every year. Feral cats, however, are undoubtedly the worst offenders. Some sources even speculate that cats may be the greatest threat humans have posed to wildlife, with dozens of bird species becoming extinct as a result.

Cats are beloved pets with natural hunting instincts. It’s hard to imagine a lovable house cat having such a significant impact on wildlife, and it’s certainly a matter of debate. It’s fair to say that cats reduce rodent populations, another threat to native wildlife. But then again, cats don’t just kill mice.

Precise figures for how many birds are killed each day or year are beyond the capabilities of modern science and research. However, research shows that this number is staggering, and it’s something all cat owners should consider before letting their pets out to roam.

Read on to learn more about the effects of house cat predation on native birds.

Closeup shot of a gray cat watching a sparrow on a fence

Why do cats hunt birds?

Cats kill birds because they have a natural predilection for hunting small animals. For many cats, the instinct to prey on small animals has nothing to do with hunger. Feral cats hunt birds to feed themselves, but even the most beloved house cat has this drive.

Why do cats kill birds instead of eating them?

Many domestic cats are redundant hunters, meaning they kill more animals than need to if they can. This behavior may have evolved to allow cats to store excess food when the time came.

Cats are known for their habit of playing with their prey. This behavior helps feral cats injure dangerous animals to the point where they can be dispatched safely. Playing with their food can also help cats hone their hunting skills.

Cat jumps up in the air to catch a sparrow

How many birds are killed by cats in the world?

Cats played a role in the extinction of many bird species, and they continue to threaten wild birds today. The global impact of domestic cats on wild birds has not been quantified, but the number is likely to be in the billions.

While we don’t know how many birds they’ve killed, or how many birds in the world have been affected by cats, there’s no denying that our furry friends do have an impact.

Which Species Are Most Affected by Cats?

Domestic cats are versatile hunters. They hunt a variety of animals, including reptiles, mammals, and birds. Small birds that forage on the ground are most at risk, but they also ambush other species as they drink water or learn to fly. Cats typically prey on small birds the size of pigeons, and most of their prey weigh less than 100 grams, or about 3 ounces.

Globally, the most vulnerable birds are small birds that live or nest on islands that are traditionally free of other small predators. Birds from these habitats have not evolved strategies to avoid predators, making them easy prey for exotic cats.

Read on to learn which birds are most affected by cats in other parts of the world.

In the U.S

There may be as many as 80 million feral cats in the United States, and another 90 million kept as pets. Cats kill a wide variety of American birds, including the following familiar backyard visitors:

• mourning dove
• american robin
• house sparrow
• woodpecker
• Nuthatch
• sparrow

The mourning dove is one of the most commonly hunted birds in the United States by cats

in England

A study of British domestic cats estimated that they catch around 27 million wild birds in spring and summer alone. Cats from the same study brought back no fewer than 44 species of wild birds to their homes. The following birds are common victims:

• black bird
• blue tit
• starling
• sparrow

Australia

Australian wildlife has been hit especially hard by house cats, with many birds also at risk. Felines have killed at least 357 species of native Australian birds, including at least two dozen globally threatened species.

Pet cats kill about 80 million birds a year, but the problem is compounded when you consider that feral cats occupy more than 99 percent of the continent. It is estimated that the total number of birds is close to 380 million per year, and more than 1 million per day.

In the UK cats often catch blackbirds which are the main target due to their choice of garden habitat

Are cats really a problem for birds?

House cats are a serious problem for birds and other small animals. Of course, keeping pets indoors is not a problem. Feral cats are the biggest concern, but even domestic cats roaming freely in suburban areas can cause serious harm to local songbirds.

Native predators such as foxes and even other birds can also kill songbirds. However, cats can displace other predators, and our care allows them to survive at densities much higher than naturally sustainable.

Cat curfews and bells are a great way to reduce the number of animals cats can kill. However, it’s not just the birds that cats prey on that are affected. Birds have an instinctive fear of cats, so the mere presence of cats can deter up to 95% of the birds in an area.

Black and white cat looking at a bird from the window

What to do if a bird is attacked by a cat?

Separate the bird from the cat as soon as possible. Don’t scold the cat – it’s just following its natural instincts to hunt. Confine the bird in a warm, dry enclosure, such as a cardboard box, and contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for further advice.

Cat bites can be devastating to birds. Their razor-sharp canines inflict stings that, while not always visible on the surface, can be serious. Bacteria on a cat’s teeth can often lead to fatal infections, even with relatively minor wounds.

Should you save a bird from a cat?

Feline predation kills billions of wild birds each year, so it’s definitely a good idea to save injured birds if possible. However, you may need to be realistic and make some difficult judgments about the state of the bird and even the species of bird involved.

Concerned citizens should work to save native birds, especially rare or threatened species.

The American robin is another species often hunted by cats

How to stop cats from killing birds?

The most effective way to prevent cats from killing birds is to keep them indoors or put a bell on the cat’s collar. Keeping your pets indoors is also a great way to protect them from road crashes and other hazards.

If cats are used to the outdoors, keeping them indoors can be stressful, so consult your veterinarian and be prepared to provide your pet with more attention and mental stimulation. Keeping your pets indoors during the day when most birds are active is another effective method, while keeping cats indoors during fledgling season can save baby birds that are learning to fly.

Another great way to keep your cat from hunting birds is to put a bell on your cat’s collar. The bell allows birds and other small animals to hear the cat’s arrival before it’s too late.

Adding a bell to your cat’s collar can help birds and critters sound the alarm before it’s late

Which birds became extinct because of cats?

Legend has it that a bird was killed by a house cat! Tibbles, a lighthouse keeper’s pet, are said to have wiped out the Lyall Wren all over the world. However, by the time the cat arrived on the small island off the coast of New Zealand, it was already pregnant, and generations of kittens had played their part.

The Lyle wren is the world’s only known flightless songbird, and it’s just one of a long list of birds that have been wiped out by house cats. Felines also played a role in the disappearance of the following birds:

• Pigeon (Microgoura meeki) – Solomon Islands
• berning thrush (tortoise) – Ogasawara Islands, Japan
• North Island Sandpiper (shell coral) – new Zealand
• socorro pigeon (Flammulina velutipes) – Socorro Island, Mexico

Do birds of prey get killed by cats?

Cats are certainly capable of killing small birds of prey like kestrels. In fact, New Zealand’s laughing owl became extinct in the early 20th century, in part due to predation by house cats.

The kestrel is one of the birds of prey that is often hunted by cats

Who Kills More Birds, Humans or Cats?

Humans and cats kill a staggering number of birds each year. Birds are hunted for sport and food, but habitat loss, pollution, invasive species (including cats), and many other human-induced problems are more serious threats.

The problem of domestic cats killing native songbirds is a result of humans introducing cats to all corners of the globe. In that sense, we are as much to blame as the cats.

common problem

Can a bird survive a cat bite?

Birds can recover after being caught by a cat, but the odds are low. Nearly 80 per cent of birds died from cat bites, including treated birds, according to a study of bird survival involving leading animal welfare organization RSPCA.

How many birds do cats kill in a day?

It is impossible to say how many birds cats kill per day, but limited data suggest that cats may kill 1 million birds per day in Australia, anywhere from 3½ to 10 million birds per day in the US, and more than 10 million birds per day in the US million birds in the UK every day.