Angry Mummy blackbird bullying my kitten

[Rollergirl11]

There is a nest right at the back in a hedge. Every single time my 9 month old boy kitten sets foot in the garden; not anywhere the nest, she starts off a cacophony of aggressive tweeting and then legit chases him back inside the house. He is terrified. Why would she be doing this? It’s only started today. The nest has been there ages and Mum and Dad are constantly in and out with food. Kitten isn’t disturbing them whatsoever. Could they be ready to fly the nest or something?

It’s quite funny watching him being chased by an angry bird but wondering how long it’s going to go on for! 😂

Quite possible the babies are starting to fledge. I have the same with a pair of blackbird parents chasing my boy.

How strange. It’s almost as though cats aren’t predators who will catch and eat baby birds.

Meant to say are - not aren’t.

The baby birds are probably either on the ground or close to leaving the nest. Baby blackbirds can’t fly far at first so usually stay on the ground for a week ish whilst Mum and Dad bring them worms, so she’s probably been doing this and is feeling protective! 😁 We have a baby blackbird in our flower bed that’s been there over a week now, he’s the size of a bowling ball so I’m sure he’s ready to cope alone now but Mum and Dad blackbird have been running over with worms! We love watching them. We laugh and say the Mum and Dad don’t know what they’ve got themselves into!

This.

Honestly, OP, why do you think the blackbirds are worried? 🙄

Pet cats kill millions of birds in the UK each year. I recommend keeping your cat in overnight when it's bigger, and putting a collar and bell on it when it goes out, to give the birds a chance.

they Have invested a lot of time and effort in selecting a nest site, building a nest, caring for the babies 24/7 and want to protect that investment.

it costs the parent a lot of energy to protect the nest, so please do keep your cat out of the garden until the babies are fully fledged if at all possible.

Team blackbird here.

Keep your car in. The bird is only protecting her young.

Of course the bird is kicking up a racket. It doesn't want a predator anywhere near its babies. This time next year your cat will be bringing dead blackbirds into the house and you will be asking how to stop your cat from doing that.

My cat became a pro at hunting with his bell on, he just stalked more slowly

Cat even.

Keep your cat away while they're young. At 9 months out could be argued that your cat should still be indoors. (Cat owner)

She's not bullying your cat, she's protecting her babies.

I was joking about the bullying. He is only just venturing in to the garden at the moment. We have another cat who is 11 and realised a long time ago that the birds are too quick for him. They are not bothered by him at all and he is sunbathing on the patio in peace.

I thought it was likely to be this.