Personally, I think the bird problem is a non-issue. As you pointed out Bill D, they seldom get the bird.
I realize that this thread was not meant to be a debate between indoor vs. outdoor, and I apologize for drifting. I am just very concerned when I see outdoor cats splattered on the side of the road because they were too busy chasing a bug to see the car coming at them. I watched an outdoor cat in our neighborhood slip away and die because of some disease they picked up. I hope those of you who have outdoor cats take the time to check for ticks and other parasites they can pick up outdoors. I hope you will give the extra grooming that is required. I also hope that you will consider the many dangers the cat faces outdoors and the stress it puts on them.