smcfadden

I've gotten a real kick out of reading about others' "bad kitties" and how they help with quilting. I have an intrepid hunter named Mackie (we refer to him as Mackie of the Jungle) who loves to catch birds, particularly the hummingbirds that come to the feeders on our porch. Well, this morning, I heard an odd noise and noticed all the cats running in Mackie's direction - never a good sign. Sure enough, Mackie had a hummingbird in his mouth. Boy was he made when I made him release it! Unfortunately, the little hummer hasn't figured out how to get back outside and is perched on a fan blade. He'll figure it out eventually, I hope.

leatheflea

Can I barrow Mackie for a week or so? I found 5 mice in my spare bedroom last night! Dh killed 3 and now theres still 2 running around here.

ssgramma

Mighty Hunter we salute you :-)

Dear departed Miss Shelly brought a Flicker into the house once and then turned it loose for me.

janRN

Patches (my avatar) doesn't catch birds, he's too fat. But lately he's started bringing small hoppy toads in the house. He doesn't bite them but brings them in and drops them in the kitchen! Ewww-they're small, about silver dollar size, but I have to get them and throw them back outside.

Your cats are so cute-they don't look like hunters; they look like cuddlers.

Jamiestitcher62

I have issues with birds in my house too. They come down behind the flue or something (roofer can't find out where they are getting in). They go behind the fireplace enclosure and come out in the basement where the opening is for all the ductwork to go up to the other floors.

About 6 times a year I get sparrows in the house and the cats absolutely go nuts trying to catch them. Then I come home and grab the butterfly net and half the time I can get them that way. If I can get them out of the basement, its a straight shot to the back door and out they go.

Cats usually sleep well after chasing them all day while I'm gone.

I'm surprised the hummingbird is ok.

smcfadden

Laura, I need to borrow your net!

JanetM

Why would you have hummingbird feeders to attract hummingbirds if you know Mackie likes to hunt birds?

Kathy Osterby

We have a black cat that we've named the "Black Monster" because he refuses to be a house cat and loves to bring all his "catches" home for us. They have included a humming bird,squirrel and a multitude of voles. Luckily for the last vole it didn't die and escaped. Hubby named him Pyewacket from the movie "Bell,book and candle" but he's Pye to his "friends".

Glassquilt

We never had a problem with any small animals for years. We miss her. Mama was a wild cat who adopted our puppy & moved in. She tried to teach him to be a hunter but only got a pointer.

smcfadden

JanetM, our feeders are at least 6 ft. off the ground so that's not how he's getting them. But the hummers like to dive bomb the cats and I suspect he's getting them that way. Contrary to popular opinion, hummingbirds do rest, so he may get them that way. They're here whether we put up feeders or not. But given the horrific drought we're in, they need some extra help this year so they can save up energy to migrate south.