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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
The Romans introduced cats to the UK approximately 1,600 years ago. And since that time, they have become one of the country’s favourite pets, with around 11 million felines now believed to live here. There are also estimates to be around a quarter of a million stray and feral cats, and, individually, it is feral and stray cats that are believed to pose a bigger predatory threat to wild birds than pet cats.
In total, cats are believed to kill more than 25 million birds every year in the UK, although the actual effects on the bird population are hotly debated. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), for example, claims that there is no evidence to suggest that cats cause a negative decline in bird numbers and that climate change and habitat destruction pose far bigger threats.
Below are 11 statistics related to cats, feline predation of birds, and the effects this phenomenon has on bird numbers.
The 11 Statistics About Cats Killing Birds in the UK
- Cats kill more than 25 million birds each year.
- The average pet cat brings home five kills a year.
- The average cat kills between 15 and 34 animals each year.
- There are 10.8 million pet cats in the UK.
- There are a quarter of a million stray and feral cats.
- Only 26% of the UK’s cats are kept as indoor cats.
- There are more than 170 million birds in the UK.
- Sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, and starlings are the species most often killed by cats.
- Wearing a bell does not prevent feline predation.
- There is no evidence that feline predation causes a decline in bird numbers.
- Blue tit populations have increased by more than 25% since 1966.
Feline Killers
1. Cats kill more than 25 million birds each year.
(RSPB)
According to figures, cats in the UK kill around 100 million animals every year. This figure includes small mammals and rodents and also includes approximately 27 million birds. This doesn’t include birds that are captured and badly injured or those that aren’t brought home, so the figure is likely much higher than this.
2. The average pet cat brings home five kills a year.
(The Guardian)
While cats might kill 30 or more animals each year, the typical cat will only bring home five kills in a year. There are many reasons given why cats bring home their hunt, but the most likely is that they want to bring their food somewhere that they feel safe and secure. It is possible that they want to share their hunt with their family, too, which is why many owners refer to it as bringing home a present.
3. The average cat kills between 15 and 34 animals each year.
(Metro)
Cats don’t just kill birds, they are opportunist hunters, as can be witnessed when owners see their cats chasing spiders, moths, and other creatures. On average, experts claim that cats kill between 15 and 34 animals each year.
Background
4. There are 10.8 million pet cats in the UK.
(Cats Protection)
Cats were first domesticated around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago and were brought to the UK by the Romans. When the Romans left 1,600 years ago, the cats remained. Since then, they have become one of the most popular pets in the country.
Cats do not have to be registered, which means that it is difficult to give a precise number of pet cats, but it is estimated that there are 10.8 million pet felines in the UK. More than a quarter of all households own at least one cat.
5. There are a quarter of a million stray and feral cats.
(Cats Protection)
While it is difficult to accurately count the number of pet cats, it is even more difficult to accurately measure the number of stray and feral cats. A stray cat is one that has previously had a home but, for any variety of reasons, no longer has a home. A feral cat is one that has never had a home and lives in the wild.
Stray cats can live in rural and urban areas while feral cats are most likely to live in rural areas. It is estimated that there are more than a quarter of a million homeless cats in the UK.
6. Only 26% of the UK’s cats are kept as indoor cats.
(Nottingham Trent University)(NCBI)
Cats in the UK are said to have the right to roam, which means that they can essentially go anywhere. It is believed that going outside improves animal welfare, and as a result, the majority of cats are allowed at least some time outdoors.
Globally, more than 40% of cats are kept as indoor cats, but while the number is increasing in the UK, it is estimated that only around a quarter of pet cats are kept solely indoors. This figure has increased rapidly. In 2011, the figure was 15%. This has risen to 24% in 2015 and 26.1% in 2019.
7. There are more than 170 million birds in the UK.
(BTO)
It is equally difficult to determine the number of birds in the country, especially considering migratory birds and occasional visitors. However, it is believed that there are 170 million birds plus migratory numbers, which means that there could be as many as 200 million birds in the country. The 10 most common species make up more than half of this number.
The Effects of Feline Predation
8. Sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, and starlings are the species most often killed by cats.
(RSPB)
Many groups and owners are concerned that cats kill large numbers of birds, and that it can have an effect on the overall population of the breeds caught. According to studies of the birds brought home by cats, the most commonly predated species are sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, and starlings.
Sparrows, starlings, and blue tits are the three most commonly seen birds in the UK, which, combined with their size relative to cats, is likely why they make such common prey animals for our feline companions.
9. Wearing a bell does not prevent feline predation.
(Metro)
Owners of skilled hunting cats may look for ways to prevent the predation of birds, or at least to reduce the number of birds that their pets kill. One of the most common methods is to attach a bell to the cat’s collar. Owners believe that the sound of the bell gives birds warning so that they can escape. However, according to research, the wearing of a bell does not reduce the number of birds that a cat kills.
10. There is no evidence that feline predation causes a decline in bird numbers.
(RSPB)
Although there are concerns regarding the number of birds killed by cats, the RSPB, which is the UK’s largest bird protection charity, has said that there is no evidence to suggest that predation of this kind affects the overall population of birds. They have said that the destruction of birds’ habitats and climate change are a much greater threat.
11. Blue tit populations have increased by more than 25% since 1966.
(Bird Spot)
The RSPB and other groups point to the fact that the population of common prey birds has not declined in recent years. The blue tit, which is one of the most commonly killed birds, has seen its population actually increase by more than 25% since 1966.
How Many Birds Do Cats Kill in the UK? Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Stop My Cat From Killing Birds?
It can be very difficult to prevent your cat from killing birds. The only surefire way to prevent it is to stop your catting going out. Some owners also attach a bell to their cat’s collar, although some studies suggest that this has little to no effect on the number of animals killed. If you do use a bell collar, ensure that it is a quick-release collar that your cat can easily escape if it gets snagged on a branch or fence.
Should I Punish My Cat for Killing Birds?
Typically, you should not punish your cat for hunting and killing birds. It is only acting on natural instincts. Plus, if you tell a cat off when it returns with a dead bird, it is unlikely to stop the cat hunting but may lead to them eating their prey away from the home.
Do Cats Eat the Birds That They Kill?
Cats don’t usually hunt birds because they’re hungry; they hunt for the sport and the fun of the chase. They are alerted by movement from the bird. You may see your cat play with a bird that it catches and then leaves it. If a cat does eat the bird, it will likely only eat specific parts and then leave the rest.
Conclusion
The UK is a nation of cat lovers with more than 10 million pet cats and a quarter of a million stray and feral cats in the country. The UK is also home to hundreds of millions of birds. While some believe that cats are one of the biggest threats to wild birds, others believe that factors like climate change and habitat destruction pose much bigger threats. The only real way to prevent a pet cat from killing birds is to stop them from going outside.
Featured Image Credit: katya-guseva0, Pixabay
