From a Golden Eagle soaring majestically over moutains, to a Buzzard perched on a fencepost next to a motorway - you're never too far away from a bird of prey in Scotland.
Also known as raptors, these are the feathered friends that are top of the foodchain - carnivorous animals that hunt other birds, mammals and fish.
And Scotland is one of the best places to see these remarkable animals, with large populations of birds that are rare elsewhere in the British Isles.
And Scotland is one of the best places to see these remarkable animals, with large populations of birds that are rare elsewhere in the British Isles.
![Scotland's smallest falcon breeds in upland areas of heather moorland from Shetland to the Borders, moving to coastal areas and farmland at the end of summer.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/06/21/13/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-06-21T144206.922.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
13. Merlin
Scotland's smallest falcon breeds in upland areas of heather moorland from Shetland to the Borders, moving to coastal areas and farmland at the end of summer. | Canva/Getty Images
![A once-common bird of prey all but wiped out in mainland Scotland by those managing sporting estates, the Hen Harrier is still scarce but can now be found pretty much anywhere offering the right environmnent - namely heather moorland, juvenile forest and open country.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/06/21/11/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-06-21T120946.078.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
14. Hen Harrier
A once-common bird of prey all but wiped out in mainland Scotland by those managing sporting estates, the Hen Harrier is still scarce but can now be found pretty much anywhere offering the right environmnent - namely heather moorland, juvenile forest and open country. | Canva/Getty Images
![One of four Scottish owl breeds, that are more often heard than seen due to their nocturnal lives, the Barn Owl used to be mainly restricted to the wormer south and west of Scotland, but as temperatures rise they are spreading north. The farmland they once thrived on no longer exists to the same extent and they are now more commonly seen flying over grassland.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/06/21/14/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-06-21T145703.169.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
15. Barn Owl
One of four Scottish owl breeds, that are more often heard than seen due to their nocturnal lives, the Barn Owl used to be mainly restricted to the wormer south and west of Scotland, but as temperatures rise they are spreading north. The farmland they once thrived on no longer exists to the same extent and they are now more commonly seen flying over grassland. | Canva/Getty Images
![Scotland's most widespread breed of owl, you can find the Tawny Owl throughout most of the mainland. They are equally happy making their home in woodland or parks and gardens.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/06/21/14/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-06-21T150142.906.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
16. Tawny Owl
Scotland's most widespread breed of owl, you can find the Tawny Owl throughout most of the mainland. They are equally happy making their home in woodland or parks and gardens. | Canva/Getty Images