How can I stop my 2 cats from pinching birds from nests?

Question

I am getting fed up with finding headless bird corpses in my garden !!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Keeping a domesticated cat from hunting is the same thing as keeping a lion from hunting; it hurts their pride and instincts! You babies are leaving those corpes for a reason. They're saying, "Hey Mommy, look! I can hunt for you! Aren't you proud?!" A cat will leave a corpse at your backdoor or wherever they know you'll see it for a reason, they want you to be proud of them for being the little hunters they are.

If you absolutely can't take it, put bell-collars on them. They won't like it, and will likely shred the first few, but they work. If you have the option of bringing the cats inside permenately, do so. They'll chitter their heads off all day watching the birds outside, but there won't be anymore dead birdies in your garden.

One thing I've found that works: Wind chimes. My Mom has a collection of them and we put them all over our backyard tree, and that's where the cardinals are most prosperous. A neighbor's cat does her best to hunt that tree, but usually knocks a chime and alerts the birds.

Answer 2

I'm sure it is hurting you to see kitty killing baby birds, but the kitty is only doing what cats do. A big jingle bell that is dangly so kitty has a hard time keeping it silent may be an answer. De-clawing isn't good for kittys, especially if the cat is going to continue to go outside, which it sounds like he is already used to doing. If you try to keep him inside, he will probably get frustrated and start clawing the rug next to the door or ruining the furniture. Unfortunately, I think you are going to have to let kitty do his thing, and if he brings you the bird, that is a sign of love and affection. Praise him as you take the bird away, put it in the trash with a lid that closes tight so kitty won't try to get it back.

Answer 3

If the cat is pinching them from trees in you back yard then you can put a plastic ring around them to stop your cat from climbing up them. Bells also often help with older birds but I doubt this would help with the nest thing... if this is happening while your at work or at night maybe you could lock your cat up in a safe part of your house without much furniture in it? Oh and if you're willing to spend a bit of money you could buy one of those run around cat cage things, I'm afraid I forgot what there called but they let your cat run outside within the safety of a cage (It's like a playground thingo your vet or loacl pet store would know what there called) But like the others said it is a natural behaviour, one that is very hard to stop maybe you should see a local vet/council if this dosen't help and see what they can say.

Answer 4

You'll have to keep them inside. Cats are predators, and birds are their natural food. Even a well-fed cat will hunt - it's their instinct. Obviously your cats are well-fed, or you wouldn't find anything in your garden but a few of the larger wing feathers. Hungry cats usually snarf birds bones-and-all.

Answer 5

Bird lovers of the world are fed up with cats doing this too, and I bet the birds are none too happy either.

Try a collar with a bell on it on each of the cats.

Answer 6

You are asking how to stop a cat from doing something totally natural. The only way is either get rid of the cats or keep them indoors all the time.

Answer 7

I don't think you can stop them, they are only doing what comes naturally to them. They are infact showing you how much they love you, they are not doing it because they are hungry, otherwise they would eat the bird, they are bringing you a present!! (I know you would prefer something in a bag from a shop, but cats don't shop!)

We had a cat who did this regularly, and no matter what we did we could not stop him doing it. I think you might just have to accept it, smile politely and throw it in the bin - GOOD LUCK

Answer 8

Buy cat collars and put at least two bells on each one- make them really noisy, or keep them in as house cats- they are safer and much less prone to diseases such as feline aids or leukaemia, or cat flu, all of which are killers, and the cars cant get them if theyre indoors.

Answer 9

Since cats are too stupid to train, perhaps you can train the birds. They are much smarter and perhaps can even deliver items for you, mimic behaviors, or talk.

Kill the cats. Evolution missed them for some reason.

Answer 10

hide in the nest and when the cat comes blast it with acid in a water bottle or everytime they take a bird tie a firework to its tail it drives them mad