MSc | PhD candidate | I study + look at birds and cats | University of Guelph | jonathanjojochu.com
Jonathan J. Chu
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There is still a lot of uncertainty, we need more estimates of how many cats there are outside, especially from rural areas and of unowned cats.
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We also incorporated many new predations rate studies that have adjusted predation rate parameters in the model to be slightly lower.
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60 million is a big number that suggest cats have a negative impact of birds in Canada. Cat owners, municipalities, wildlife managers and researchers all have a part to play in ensuring our environments benefit wildlife, people and cats alike. stewardshipcentrebc.ca/cats-and-bir...
There are still no direct measures of predation rates from cats in Canadian areas, but as followers of me are aware, we are working and will publish novel predation rates from Canadian localities soon!
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In 2013, it was estimated that cats kill between 105-348 million birds. Our updated estimate does NOT mean cats kill fewer birds now. The discrepancy comes from lower cat population estimates that we derived from primary field estimates rather than shelter intake and survey data originally used. 2/6
How many #birds are killed by #cats in Canada? Between 19-197 million! This is the main result from my first chapter of my PhD thesis just published in Avian Conservation and Ecology. ace-eco.org/vol20/iss2/a...
@gowelizabeth.bsky.social
@ryannorrissci.bsky.social
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Our lab had a fantastic time at the Soc. Cnd. Ornithologists meeting in Saskatoon last week! Thanks to @sco-soc-2025.bsky.social and the organizers.
And congrats to Jelany Duali for winning best student talk!
#ornithology #CanadaBirds
@passarahformes.bsky.social
@jonathanjojochu.bsky.social
Cats are considered the number one threat to birds in Canada. It's a fascinating and complex conservation issue.
Tune into The Warblers podcast with @juliakilgour.bsky.social and @jonathanjojochu.bsky.social to hear some expert insights on human behaviours and cat research.
Someone brought our admin a stunned young warbler in a cup this morning. Luckily we know just who to call! Thank you @jonathanjojochu.bsky.social & Jelany for your expertise, and shoutout to Sofia for catching the bird when it was flying around the office! 😅
Jonathan J. Chu
Jonathan J. Chu
How many birds are killed by cats each year?
A new #UofG study provides a more accurate picture of the millions of birds dying at the claws of household pets.
@uofgcbs.bsky.social @integrativebiology.bsky.social @jonathanjojochu.bsky.social
Read more: news.uoguelph.ca/2025/10/new-...
Jonathan J. Chu
Jonathan J. Chu
Jonathan J. Chu
Jonathan J. Chu
Ryan Norris
Dept. of Integrative Biology
Birds Canada
University of Guelph News
It’s no secret that birds are facing many threats in our cities, but the leading cause of death may come as a surprise. It’s not avian flu or natural predators, but instead, outdoor cats.
