Feral Cats
I believe window strikes and cats are the two largest killers of birds, John can correct me as needed. Has anyone done research on Feral Cats.
I am attaching a web site you might find interesting.
Alley cat Allies will tell you all about how feral cat Trap, Neuter,
Return programs benefit the community - and the cats - and the birds.
http://www.alleycat.org
Jeff: I work with a group that provides low cost (or free) spay/neuter for cats as this area has, until recently, had no program for low cost S/N. There are lots of opinions on the TNR programs. Our experience is that it takes a lot of effort and training of the community for the program to work. New cats keep showing up in such colonies, many unspayed females that are released by owners and by that time pregnant to start the problem all over again. We have documented several colonies that now cease to exist through the TNR process, but the feral cat problem is so large in many areas that it's virtually impossible to control such populations. It take about 6-8 years for such a colony to die off. We have a running problem with animal control in this county over feral cat colonies. Too much to go into here.
I have heard interesting accounts of the spectacular increase of seabird colonies on Pacific Islands after the removal of all cats (which were brought in by people). I'm sure the loss due to cats (not just feral as owned cats allowed outside contribute as well) is huge. Around our house, where cats are kept inside, the loss due to snakes is the biggest problem, especially in monitored nests.
Linda
Interesting discussion. Here is the problem at my favorite local bird photography spot:
http://www.desertriversaudubon.org/feral-cats.html
Yes, cats are a major problem up here too. Not so much feral cats, but pet cats that are free roaming outside. I crossed paths with a lady the other day at a local nature trail, she had binoculars so I assumed she was a "birder". We talked for a bit and we both mentioned the redpoll invasion we got this year. She said she only had three at her backyard feeders, but that her cat got them all. She said that just as an aside and as if nothing was wrong, simply shrugging it off. So much for being a true "birder" IMO, and as long as this type of attitude remains about letting cats roaming free outdoors I'm afraid this problem won't go away...
Studies in several countries including Canada show that pet and feral cats kill millions of birds every year. It's a delicate subject and as a result it's been hard for wildlife agencies to become proactive. Other big losses are associated with collisions with buildings, cars, communication towers and transmission lines, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and legal and illegal hunting. It is interesting to note that despite the urban myth that wind farms kill birds, they are only a little league player compared to the above.
Last edited by John Chardine; 04-26-2011 at 06:06 AM. Reason: added detail
Linda, Snakes do rob nest too, this is part of the cycle but so sad IMO. Too bad, in the balance of nature something often has to die for something to live.
This brings up an interesting philosophical question- is the predation OK if it's done by a native predator? I would tend to say yes. So, in Linda's case if the snakes are native then so be it. But contrast that situation with the island of Guam where the introduced brown tree snake has devastated the native wildlife. Cat defenders (I love cats by the way) say that hawks kill far more birds than cats, but again, this is part of the natural state of nature. Put another way, a Sharp-shinned Hawk swooping down and taking a sparrow is OK by me, but I would rather that domestic cats stick to "Tender Vittles" cat food.
John: Overall, I agree with you. But, if I put up nest boxes to attract bluebirds and then it becomes an attractive source of food for the native rat snakes, I've got a problem. Both species are native, but the bluebird must now depend on people supplied nest boxes. The birds are trapped inside the box once a snake climbs the pole. Good snake guards are important. We had no problem for the first 5 or 6 years but then the population of snakes learned where they could get a quick meal. I wish they would stick to the voles that are plentiful around here and leave the birds alone.Originally Posted by John Chardine
I agree that the cats should stick to their Tender Vittles cat food. In our cat rescue, the feral cats (mainly kittens) that are taken in and fostered are only adopted out to people that keep their cats inside.
As for the TNR working or not working, the biggest problem is that many people will go in and trap and S/N an entire colony or maybe 95% of it. Then other people will see a bunch of cats being fed (part of the TNR process to reduce predation) and will deposit unwanted cats in the vicinity. Most of these are unneutered. If there is no continued surveillance and trapping and neutering, soon there will again be a growing colony. Not many people have the time or energy to continue that surveillance for the years necessary to completely eliminate the colony. And add to that the wariness of certain cats that were born in the wild and will not enter a trap. These cats can be the source of continual growing of the colony. It's a very difficult problem with no clear solution. On the surface, TNR with the ultimate disappearance of the colony as described in the link above is ideal. The truth is that it doesn't work that well for most situations, especially when you add in the irresponsibility of people who continue to deposit their cats in the wild.
Linda
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