While Aberdeen FC has taken to flying hawks to scare away its resident gull population, one city raptor has taken matters into its own talons.
The plucky peregrine falcon was pictured feasting on the carcass of a young seagull in the Woolmanhill area of Aberdeen on Saturday.
The species has been known to nest in the spires at the Triple Kirks and other high-up locations around the city, but due to it being the fastest animal on the planet it is rarely photographed – and even more infrequently snapped on the ground.
Peregrines are ideally adapted to urban living, as cities and towns provide them with plenty of lofty perches to roost on, as well as plenty of prey to eat.
A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said: “City nesting peregrines are becoming more and more widespread.
“They are able to take advantage of the abundant pigeons, or in this case gulls, as a source of food.
“Most UK cities probably now support one or more pairs of peregrines and they are often more successful than birds breeding in some more traditional locations out in the country.”
City centre councillor Bill Cormie said: “We’ve actually had three pairs of peregrine falcons live in the city over the years if I recall, one at Triple Kirks, another pair at St Mary’s Cathedral and another somewhere on Huntly Street.
“They used to eat the pigeons at that time, but they’re very bold and swift, so I’m not surprised to see them going for seagulls.”