The remains of a large unidentified bird have been found at an abandoned airfield in Angus.
The three-feet long leg with three claws was discovered by a dog walker near Tealing on Tuesday.
Experts have been unable to identify the creature or come up with an explanation for the find.
Sean Donaldson, who lives in a nearby cottage, made the discovery while walking his dog Oscar.
He said: “We were down at the Tealing Airfield firing range just beside my house, when he found it along with lots of scattered, rather large, white feathers.
“Oscar was sniffing everywhere, he went absolutely nuts. I picked it up with a poop bag and took it home.”
Mr Donaldon (39) believes it could have been mauled by a bigger animal.
He said: “It looks like the bird has been moved around by whatever animal was eating it.”
Mr Donaldson posted a picture of his find on the Courier Facebook page, and it led to a flood of comments, with some jokingly suggesting the creature was just the latest victim of an Angus big cat.
The Courier sent a picture of the bird’s remains to experts at the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Spokeswoman Emma Smith said: “I passed the photo on to our wildlife rescue centre manager, but he says he’s unable to identify the type of bird.
“I caught our chief superintendent and he can’t identify it either, he said it would have to go to a museum for that.”
Mr Donaldson said: “To me it looks like reptile skin. The claws are solid. It looks very similar to an ostrich, but I can’t be sure.”
Do you you know what the creature is? Have your say below, or phone The Courier on 01382 575301.