Cats and birds

Question
My husband wants to get me a cat for my birthday, but since we have a bird
living in the house his mother doesn't think it's a good idea. The bird's cage
is always left open, and my mother-in-law doesn't wish to confine her
strictly to the cage. My husband has done research and found that persian
cats are disinclined to hunting. So if we were to get a persian cat would it be
safe to have it around the bird? Are their any other breeds of cats that can
live in harmony with birds?

Answer
Emily,

Persian cats tend to be very laid back and are into lounging around all day.  However, all cats will hunt and, even the Persian may decide the bird would be fun to hunt.

If the bird is large and aggressive enough to take care of itself, there may be no problem.  Otherwise, I am not sure this will be a good combination.

Cats do well with parrots, macaws, cockatoos and the like because these birds can out growl, out hiss, out claw any cat around.  The cat will accept them as the dominate creature in the house.  For smaller less aggressive birds, it may not be a good idea to have a cat around.

On the other hand, if you can find a breeder who has smaller birds and has trained the kittens to leave them alone (from birth), then you may be all right.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.