Cat Teaches Kittens to Hunt Birds Live Action Photo Series by @solarguy

I went out to feed the ducks and grab some lunch and as I passed by these kittens next door I got a show.

Cats will do what cats do. It's in their nature you could never really train a cat to NOT hunt things smaller than its self.

I see these kittens often when I walk by, I have to walk by this place, it's a Youth Travelers Hostel right next door my home, and the lady who runs it is really sweet and speaks English. She has other cats and a dog that I have met as well. I helped her rescue one of her cats in the winter that got stuck up a tree. Maybe another post I can detail that adventure.

I saw them chilling in the sun so I stopped to play with them, they know me by now. In the winter when she keeps the door closed I sometimes let the cats in if they are sitting by begging.

Then suddenly the mother goes in to hunt mode and two of kittens followed in hot pursuit. Not sure where they were going they seemed a little bit too playful.

After a quick glare from their mom they got the hint and took the appropriate positions behind her. Trying to see what she saw to better understand the reasons for this change of pace on sunny morning soaking up sun and chasing leaves.

She told them to stay back in her own way as she crept closer and disappeared under a bush. The kittens were far enough back and easily lost interest waiting for mom after about 40 seconds and were hunting each other in the flower bed.

She made it back; as she passed by me to dodge into the hostel i grabbed her and tried to free the bird, it's eye was still blinking. Terrified but calm.

I tried to pry open her mouth but she just clenched harder. I released her and she ran back under the bush still with the bird in her mouth. Oh well, this is the life of a cat and the risk of a bird. The birds knew she was there why they got so low is beyond me.

At least I got some of it on camera, I don't see that everyday. Not since I was a kid growing up in the countryside of Canada. Our cats, 5 of em, would often bring back birds, moles and other rodents. They never ate them, just dropped on the floor inside the house by the door. A thank you gift? Maybe that's what this cat was doing, trying to give me a gift for letting her inside all winter.

By the time I got back from getting lunch the kittens were already back to playing with their uncle, catch the paw under the door, seems like a fun game.

Hope you enjoyed.