My neighbours are out, we have adjoining conservatories, terraced houses so small and close together. There is a big starling in next doors conservatory! It has been flying around, It is now perched on the window handle high up. Dunno how it got in there - there is a cat flap. It doesn't seem to be injured.
Her 3 cats are sat on the floor, transfixed, all are good hunters so have collars with bells on.
Poor bird - must be absolutely terrified.
Nothing I can do, I don't think she will be home tonight - going by the 3 food bowls piled high with cat food!
I keep going back to watch, but feel so bad - I don't rate poor birdys chances.

Birdy has had another fly about, landed on the food bowl on the floor! stood there a good few minutes, the cats just watched!
Is now perched high up on the light fitting.

I dont either. I dont think there is nothing you can do. One of the cats might have even brought it in themselfs.

Yes I reckon a cat must have brought it home. odd though that it appears uninjured.
Poor lady will have a mess to clean up - 3 streaks of bird poo down the windows so far!

Could you entice the cats out through the catflap, then block it? Mind you that would be unfair on the cats unless you can look afer them till their owner comes home

I would imagine one of the cats took it through the catflap. Many a time I've has to face birds flying around my house. Not so bad if you are in and can deal with it immediately but if you are out there will be a big mess to clean up. If your neighbour is out for the night, hopefully the bird will at least be able to escape the clutches of the cats. Better if it finds itself a low down spot it can crawl into and the cats can't get it.

If it flies around all night the cats may start jumping up on furniture and things to get at it with no end of mess possible.

Is it confined to the conservatory or has it got access to the rest of the house?

probably not, its raining hard and blowing a gale! anyway - what would be more enticing to kittys than watching birdy?

birdy still doing ok - up on the light

My Pickledeewicks used to bring in alive birds.

So far as I know cats now have access to downstairs only. They got bell collars when she was upset waking up in bed to bird entrails across her duvet!

Yes I can imagine what havoc 3 large cats might cause chasing birdy around the lounge!

A mate of mine sealed up his cat flap for this very reason.

His two cats throught it fun to bring home live birds and let them go in the lounge so they could hurtle through the air in pursuit of the poor terrified creatures.

Cue bird shit and broken ornaments everywhere.

Aye mine brought one in the other day.. urgh it was horrible. poor birdy was still alive and he was just bashing the poor thing around, carrying it in his mouth. They are evil animals are cats sometimes!!

Fluff and bird guts all over the room.. that was lovely.. and they say its a present!! arghhh!

I think your neighbours conservatory windows will be splattered with blood and their furniture covered in feathers tomorrow.

Nice animals cats, we may as well just not bother feeding them and let them get on with it. A bit like foxes in a sense - you can feed a cat as much as they will eat, but they'll always want a bird or little mammal as afters or for a bit of fun.

Well, so far I have heard 2 x kerfuffles from next door! sounded like somethings falling over + breaking!
And now no sign of birdy or kittys.
Does not bode well for poor birdy

Why do all of the feathers seem to fall out as soon as the bird dies?

-I have 2 cats myself, and have had to hoover up so many feathers you could not believe came from one little bird. Am glad that I don't have a cat flap! so most of my "presents" are happily left on the door step

Not always My sons hamster escaped from its cage and after a few days with no sign I feared the worst, then one morning I came down to let our cat Emily out of the bathroom, (she has to sleep in there because she's a hyperactive little sod at night) and the hamster was in her bed. She had a paw over it and I thought it was dead but it was just asleep. It had been thoroughly groomed too!

Same happened to my cat : she brought home the tiniest bird, dumped it on the floor, the poor thing hopped around for a second or two before i picked it up, it didn't even try to escape, must have been a young one. After a minute of cuddling it I didn't know what to do so I went to the window, and as soon as it felt the outside air off it flew with a little flapping sound, awww.
I reckon my kitty loves them birdies and wanted one as a pet. Either that or it was some kind of "Here human, I present you with a live prey so you can feast on its palpitating flesh in exchange for canned tuna because birds are disgusting but i thought you'd like it"

RIP Birdy
Neighbour returned home @ lunchtime to mayhem blood + guts fest.
Bird poo on 3 conservatory windows + 2 pieces wallpaper + lounge mirror.
Birdys body on cream rug, ripped open, blood + intestines etc spread out of body
Birdys head on sofa cushion
1 x birdy foot missing ...
Feathers everywhere! Lots of real soft fluffy white feathers - must be birdys undercoat. difficult to catch with hoover
2 x plant pots upturned = soil + mini pebbles scattered across floor. Soil then used as kitty toilet
Floor standing Up light on its side - halogen bulb smashed
Cat vomit x 2

Not a nice end to a relaxing weekend away! But we do so love our pets don't we ...

I've been wondering what the outcome would be, although inevitable.
Poor birdy didn't stand a chance really. Neighbour will be finding bits of bird and feathers for days to come.

I'm not surprised either catzooo.

Despite what a few cat owners would like to think, the vast majority of the time they can have stomachs full of the best roast meat, but left alone they are like foxes in a chicken shed.

What a lovely welcome home pressie from their little treasures

The cats were doing their "job": To protect the property from thieving birdies out to get their beaks on the winter grain store...

Still, a horrible homecoming for sure. Poor bird, I don't wish it on him.