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UK cats kill an estimated 27-70 million birds annually, with sparrows, blue tits, and blackbirds being the most common prey
Source: RSPB (2024)
Notes
RSPB states no evidence that cat predation significantly impacts UK bird populations
RSPB. (2024). RSPB and Mammal Society Research. As cited in Cat Cognition. https://catcognition.com/statistics/wildlife-impact/#uk-cats-birds-killed-annually-2024
275 million
UK cats kill an estimated 275 million prey animals annually, including 55 million birds
Mammal Society / Wiley (2003)
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)
69%
UK cat prey composition: 69% mammals, 24% birds, 4% amphibians, 1% reptiles
Mammal Society / Wiley (2003)
140.4 million
UK cats return an estimated 140.4 million prey items to their homes annually, with 83% being mammals and 16% being birds
Wiley Ecology and Evolution (2025)
