Thank you to Bill Danielson for his column about the devastating decline of our bird population. The recent study showed that there has been a 30 percent decline or about 3 billion less native birds in North America since 1970. This news is heartbreaking and sobering to say the least. Two of the biggest factors are loss of habitat and the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides.
Another significant factor in bird deaths is domestic cats. One estimate, according to the American Bird Conservancy, up to 3.7 billion birds are killed annually by domestic and feral cats in North America alone.
Cats should be kept indoors. It is better for the birds and the cats. It is irresponsible to allow your cats to roam freely if they are catching and killing birds. The onus is on the cat owner. It is not “cats just being cats”. They are not part of our natural ecosystem and they are decimating our already threatened songbird population.
Cats have a much healthier and contented life being indoor cats as well. They don’t face the threat of other predators or being struck by automobiles.
I have had indoor cats for many years and they have lived long and very contented lives without ever venturing outdoors. Also, have your cats spayed or neutered. Feral cats is a whole other issue.
As responsible cat owners, it is the least we can do to support our fragile bird populations.
Please consider making a donation to the American Bird Conservancy. It is a highly rated non-profit organization with it’s sole mission to protect bird populations in the Americas.
George Connell
Conway