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An elderly man in a cardigan looks down at a Siamese cat on a backyard deck while sparrows crowd a wooden bird feeder behind. 8 / 38

A Feeder Full of Sparrows Right Above Her Head, and Sapphire Looked the Other Way

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A wooden hanging feeder is packed with sparrows, at least half a dozen of them lined up along the rail and pecking at seed. Below them on the weathered deck, Sapphire sits perfectly still, paws together, tail tucked, and here is the surprising part: she is not looking at the birds at all. Her blue eyes are turned up toward Clarence, who leans over her in his oatmeal cardigan and plaid shirt, glasses on, smiling down with a quiet, knowing look. The garden behind them is a little wild, with potted succulents, a coiled hose, and a tall wooden fence.

Most cats are deeply fascinated by birds, and watching them from a window is often called cat television for good reason. That interest is real hunting instinct, though, and outdoor cats can have a meaningful impact on wild bird populations. If you love both cats and birds, keeping your cat indoors or supervised on a leash or in an enclosed catio is the kindest option for everyone. Place feeders well away from spots where a cat could hide and pounce, and clean them regularly to help prevent the spread of disease among birds. An indoor window perch near a feeder can give a cat all the entertainment of birdwatching with none of the risk.

For now, the sparrows carry on with breakfast, and Sapphire carries on with her favorite pastime: gazing at Clarence like he is the most interesting thing in the yard. He might just be.

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