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Cats kill an estimated 50-200 million birds annually in Germany, according to NABU and Max Planck Institute estimates
Source: NABU / Max Planck Institute (2024)
Notes
Lower estimate (50M) from Max Planck ornithologists, higher estimate (200M) from NABU. Most kills occur during breeding season May-July, 80%+ are young birds.
NABU / Max Planck Institute. (2024). Cat Predation Impact Analysis. As cited in Cat Cognition. https://catcognition.com/statistics/wildlife-impact/#de-cats-kill-birds-annually-2024
1.3-4.0 billion
Free-ranging domestic cats kill an estimated 1.3-4.0 billion birds annually in the United States
Nature Communications (2013)
6.3-22.3 billion
Free-ranging domestic cats kill an estimated 6.3-22.3 billion mammals annually in the United States
Nature Communications (2013)
27-70 million
UK cats kill an estimated 27-70 million birds annually, with sparrows, blue tits, and blackbirds being the most common prey
RSPB (2024)
60 million
Outdoor cats kill an estimated 60 million birds per year in Canada, with a range of 19-197 million
Avian Conservation and Ecology (2025)
