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When people spot a bald eagle in the wild, they often stop and stare in awe at the majestic creature. When they chose the bald eagle as the national symbol, the Founding Fathers made the right decision. This magnificent bird, with its fierce beauty and bold independence, is a fitting metaphor for the power and freedom of America.
Little did they know, the average house cat wouldn’t think so highly of these (or any) birds. The threat that household cats in the open pose to biodiversity is well known. Cats are responsible for the extinction of 63 wild bird, mammal, and reptile species, and they tend to have a negative impact on a wide range of other species, including some that are in danger of going extinct.
In a cat’s early years, the predatory habits of stalking and pouncing begin. In just over two months, kittens may already master the skill of pouncing. Felines consistently perform certain motions in a specific order, much like a dance, whether they are young or adults.
When stalking prey, cats arrange their back legs before settling into their places. They would then fix their attention and stare at their desired object. Cats will start to wiggle their bums at this time, which is actually a necessary step before they leap forward spectacularly.
©iStock.com/R Lolli Morrow
Patriotic Prey
In Sointula, British Columbia, someone catches an incredible interaction between a cat and a bird on film. A gorgeous bald eagle is perched on the edge of the boat shed roof. The bird is minding its own business when a cat appears behind him.
Because stalking enables cats to carefully monitor their prey and modify the amount of energy they must expend to make a successful pounce, it is essential to the art of cat pouncing. Larger targets necessitate more vigorous wriggling and shifting in order to gather balance and energy for a solid impact just before they strike.
Felines are natural hunters because they are descended from wild cats that would pursue and pounce on their prey, explaining why they exhibit this behavior. Domestic cats do stalk and pounce even though they may not be doing it to find food – just it’s in their instinct to do so.
If you’ve ever noticed your cat leaving “presents” outside for you, this would be why! They love the thrill of the hunt, even if they don’t eat what they catch. While the video of the bald eagle and the cat cuts off before we see any sort of action, we hope the bird got away in time.
Eagles have massive talons and even though cats are fast, it would be a breeze for a bird as large as an eagle to capture a feline. Take a look at the close interaction below!
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
