Wildlife

Wild Bird Cat Predation: Scale, Welfare and Mitigation

Domestic and feral cat predation on garden birds is one of the largest human-influenced sources of bird mortality with available mitigations.

Key Facts

UK cats are estimated to kill 55 million birds annually based on prey items brought home
Cats bring home only 23% of kills, suggesting total mortality is substantially higher
Bell collars reduce cat hunting success by 41% without preventing normal behaviour
Feeder placement 2m from cover prevents cat ambush at feeding stations

Welfare Considerations

Birds caught by cats experience acute predation terror and traumatic injury. Many do not die immediately, extending suffering. Simple interventions including bells on collars, keeping cats inside at dawn and dusk, and strategic feeder placement reduce individual bird suffering at scale.

What You Can Do

Fit your cat with a quick-release collar with a bell or Birdsbesafe cover
Keep cats inside or supervised at dawn and dusk during peak bird activity
Position feeders away from shrubs and low cover that cats use for ambush