The domestic cat is an invasive species in many different countries. It is estimated that feral and outside cats kill over a billion small mammals and songbirds each year. The hunting habits of these cats is hypothesized to be one of the largest contributions to the rapidly decreasing number of songbirds in North America. Some songbirds, like the North American barn swallow, seem to be less affected by outside and feral cat hunting. A researcher located in Oklahoma, Dr. Charles Brown, has recorded evidence of swallows adapting to have shorter wings over the past 30 years. Barn swallows are now one of few songbirds that have a slightly increasing wild population.

Question

The domestic cat is an invasive species in many different countries. It is estimated that feral and outside cats kill over a billion small mammals and songbirds each year. The hunting habits of these cats is hypothesized to be one of the largest contributions to the rapidly decreasing number of songbirds in North America. Some songbirds, like the North American barn swallow, seem to be less affected by outside and feral cat hunting. A researcher located in Oklahoma, Dr. Charles Brown, has recorded evidence of swallows adapting to have shorter wings over the past 30 years. Barn swallows are now one of few songbirds that have a slightly increasing wild population.

Answer 1

However, despite this adaptation, the overall impact of cat predation on songbird populations is still significant. In addition to hunting, domestic cats can also spread diseases to wild bird populations, further contributing to their decline.

Efforts to control the population of feral and outside cats, through programs such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), have been implemented in some areas to help mitigate their impact on wildlife. Additionally, keeping pet cats indoors or in enclosed outdoor spaces can help reduce their hunting activity.

Overall, it is important for cat owners to be responsible and take measures to prevent their pets from harming local wildlife. Collaboration between cat owners, conservationists, and researchers is crucial in finding ways to address the issue of cat predation on songbirds and other small mammals.