Birds

» maxlee - feral cats kill birds

Why is it so easy to make feral and domestic cats the scapegoat for bird deaths? Because we catch them in the act? I love birds, enjoy watching and feeding them. I love cats, too. Yes, cats eat birds and rodents, but for survival. They were created to be part of the eco-system, to help keep nature in balance. What about us? Man. What about our need to ravage forests and woodlands, our race to live in the country, expanding urban developments that ruin life for all wildlife. Ready to give up that green, insect- and weed-free lawn? Read another Audubon Society article pointing to an estimated 7 million birds that die each year because of exposure to lawn pesticides alone. It includes information on a US Geological Survey Analysis of 20 major rivers basins and aquifers systems that reveals commonly used lawn and garden pesticides are found in surface and ground water. Ready to give up your cell phone and/or TV? The FCC estimates that up to 50 millions birds, mostly migratory, are killed by cell phone and TV towers each year, threatening at least 50 species. What about unconscionable pet owners who contribute to the feral cat problem? How cruel and heartless of them to dispose of their former pet, forcing them to a harsh life in an environment unfamiliar to them. People who don't understand or like cats readily cast them on the "Get Rid Of" list. Seems to me, it is man that has thrown nature out of balance, and now to fix it so we can have a clear conscience using our modern day, high tech conveniences, they say, kill the cats, too many of them, they kill birds. Well, if we added up all the birds killed by man's technical advances, who would the number one killer of birds be?

-- posted by maxlee