Jerry Converse writes:

I am compiling information and was wondering if any one knows how many
birds have become extinct in the Hawaiian Islands since the introduction
of cats; or any other place for that matter.

Cats may well be a serious predator of endemic birds in Hawai'i, but the
mongoose has had a very great affect on the Nene or Hawaiian Goose. Goslings
don't stand much of a chance against the mongoose, except on the island of
Kauai which doesn't have a mongoose population. A few years ago Nene were
accidentally let loose on Kauai and have established a small, but growing,
population. They can usually be seen at the Kilauea Lighthouse.

Another threat to endemic birds in Hawai'i is avian malaria. Honeycreepers
seem to be most affected by this and the I'iwi can now only be found at
higher altitudes, above the mosquito zone.

Sorry that this reply doesn't address domestic cat effects on wild bird
populations.

Tom Benedict
tbenz at halcyon.com