If you have a bird feeder, then be careful to place it in a position that keeps them out of the way from predatory cats on the prowl for their next feathery meal
Bird feeders should never be placed in one specific area of your garden, experts at the RSPCA have warned.
People with or without a cat in their home should take notice of the advice, which tells people to keep feeders away from “cat height” and preferably up a pole where cats will struggle to reach them. They should also be kept well away from walls or anywhere which gives cats a perfect “perching” platform, where they’d be ready to pounce on feeding birds.
Birds are just entering mating season, and after a rough winter of limited, natural supplies, birds can often rely on human intervention to bolster their nutrition. So having a bird feeder in the garden is advised, as long as it is regularly replenished and cleaned out to prevent the spread of bird disease.
According to government data, there has been a staggering 16% drop across all bird species in the UK since 1970. This is due to several factors, but most notably is the loss in natural habitat due to farming practices. Some popular foods for birds include suet, nuts and seeds. This is because they contain high proportions of fat, which birds need to thrive in cooler weather.
However, cat-owners should be weary that their efforts to help birds might be making them prey instead. According to recent data, approximately 29% of all households in the UK own a cat – which means many of us have potential bird-killers on our hands. It might be hard to believe that your cuddly feline poses such a threat to the local wildlife. After all, most of us see them at their most loveable, when they are eating, sleeping or otherwise causing innocent trouble.
However, an alarming study revealed that domestic cats kill between 160 to 270 million animals every year – a quarter of which are birds. In particular danger are small songbirds, like finches and robins. And even if you don’t have a cat, there’s little to stop them roaming neighbouring gardens, which means the cat next door could be causing carnage in your outdoor space.
Keep away from hedgerows, walls and bushes
The RSPCA has therefore issued a warning for garden-owners. When deciding where to put your bird feeder, they advise: “Place feeders up high, well above cat height and away from cat perches such as branches and walls.”
Placing feeders in low-lying positions or near bushes can put them in immense danger. This is because cats can lurk behind them unseen, before striking as soon as a bird tries to take some food. Instead, you should hang them up high – preferably at least three metres above ground. You should also make sure the feeder is in proximity to trees or hedgerow, which allows birds to make a quick escape if necessary.
If you’re still worried about your cat attacking garden birds, then the UK-based charity Songbird Survival offers some advice. They say to make sure you play with your cat for about 5 to ten minutes every day.
They also recommend feeding your cat premium, meat-rich food. This will lessen their need to head outside to hunt their own meal.