This is a controversial one. People love their
cuddly, purring companions – but the truth is that
they are instinctive predators, who could be killing
up to 3.7 billion birds a year in the USA alone.
Solutions range from putting a bell on your cat’s
collar, to enclosing an area of garden for your cat
to roam (a “catio”), to keeping your cat indoors
altogether. It’s up to you, but these actions could
save birds’ lives – and keep your cat safer, too.
3
Stop your cat from
catching birds
Install a
bird box
4
Modern buildings may be warmer and drier, but
one thing they tend to lack is convenient nesting
holes. Nest boxes are the perfect solution, and
come in all shapes and sizes depending on the
species you want to attract. They’re pretty simple
to construct – but remember never to paint the
insides. If you do, they may be too slippery for
young birds to clamber out of when it’s time to
fledge – and it may be toxic, too. And if you must
paint the outside, keep it a light colour to reflect
the sun’s heat – nobody wants to live in an oven…
18
birdlife • apr-jun 2018