Ben@Forest wrote:
I don't doubt that extinction figure though I'd expect a considerable number of those were in locations where there was no competing mammal population until we introduced the cats (and rats and dogs and pigs etc).
However we as a species are far more responsible for extinctions of amimal and plant species through such introductions and, more importantly, habitat destruction. Of the endangered bird species in the UK (and this is a UK forum) I'd bet none are endangered principally through cat predation even the RSPB has no clear evidence that it is the case - but proofing our houses against birds nesting in roofs is a proven decline in sparrows.
Overall I'd prefer cats didn't kill birds, but pointing a finger at cats is somewhat missing the target - us.
Of course we are mostly to blame... habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, illegal animal trade, egg collecting, agriculture, pollution, etc. all contribute to the decline of bird populations.
They don't need cat predation on top of that.
I like cats. We have four of them. But there is no need for them to hunt birds, so they aren't allowed. We feed the birds, and do what we can to create habitat and housing for them. We've had hedgehogs and badgers in our garden, as well. I'm pleased about that because it means we've succeeded in wilding it, if only a little. The cats stay in at night. I don't think it's that difficult to enjoy having cats, and not let them hunt birds. They do need hunting as stimulation, but they can get it through play, with each other, and with humans, and they can get it through hunting rodents.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom