Mystery of falling blackbirds

[Runmede]

Originally Posted by jack

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/science/18birds.html?_r=1&ref=us

"“Five billion birds die in the U.S. every year,” said Melanie Driscoll, a biologist and director of bird conservation for the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi Flyway for the National Audubon Society."

"Some of the biggest death traps are surprising. Almost everyone has an experience with a pet proudly bringing home a songbird in its jaws. Nationally, domestic and feral cats kill hundreds of millions of birds each year, according to the government. One study done in Wisconsin found that domestic rural cats alone (thus excluding a large number of suburban and urban cats) killed roughly 39 million birds a year."

This is why my daughter who has two cats, keeps them inside. It is safer for the other animals.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Runmede

This is why my daughter who has two cats, keeps them inside. It is safer for the other animals.

While growing up, I always felt sorry for house cats. The cat I adopted had been a stray and was used to being outside...I never tried to keep her in.

However, when we adopted our two kitties, the shelter recommended keeping them as house cats, it is safer, healthier, and they live much longer. We've had them for about 7 or 8 years now and they are fine and seem happy. I do wonder if we made them agoraphobic, but they enjoy watching the birds out the window and seem quite content.

We decided never to give them table scraps--a couple of years ago, I left a plate with bacon on the coffee table, went back for something in the kitchen and rushed back thinking they might've grabbed the bacon...luckily that proved to me that they have no desire for any of our food--even the most tempting.

[bridget1964]

Hundreds of Yankton, South Dakota birds poisoned by USDA - KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

More birds die, this time, the USDA fesses up...

[Sage]

Our government on the job...

[Runmede]

But, they were Starlings.

[bridget1964]

Originally Posted by Runmede

But, they were Starlings.

But, what is stopping other birds from eating the poisoned grains?

[Runmede]

In this case, Starlings were targeted and killed.