In addition, the report clears up a common myth. Cat predation Cats are being erroneously blamed for declining bird populations. However, it has been proven that the number one cause of bird decline is habitat loss. Feral cats pose very little threat to bird populations. Cats are opportunistic feeders, eating what is most easily available.
Feral cats are scavengers, and many rely on garbage and handouts from people.
Biologist Peter Neville, author of Claws and Purrs, found that scavenging from trash has enabled feral cats to almost give up hunting altogether. As mentioned above, cats are rodent specialists. Birds make up only a small percentage of their diet, even when they are relying solely on hunting for food. Cats may also prey on a population without destroying it. If this weren't so, mice would have been driven to extinction long ago.