An eagle has gone missing from its Perthshire home for the second time in little over a year.
Nine-year-old bald eagle Pilgrim was chased away from his home at Phoenix Falconry, near Auchterarder, by wild buzzards.
Staff are particularly concerned because the bird was hand-reared in captivity and does not know how to hunt in the wild.
Workers said they were “very upset” about the loss but stressed that, despite its seven-foot wingspan, the eagle does not pose any danger to the public.
Head falconer Adrian Hallgarth said, “This is very upsetting for us, especially since the same thing happened almost exactly a year ago.
“Birds of prey are fiercely territorial particularly at this time of year, when they are rearing young. If Pilgrim was in the wild, he would be just as fierce, but he was hand-reared from birth he’s a big softie.
“He’s a member of our family and we just want to get him back home. Pilgrim had never acquired the skills to feed himself in the wild so we really need people’s help in finding him as soon as possible.”
Pilgrim also went missing last March, but was rescued the following day thanks to a reported sighting.
A surprised birdwatcher came across the giant bird at Sheriffmuir, just 10 miles from the falconry. The team were contacted and rushed to the scene to collect their tired and frightened bald eagle.
Mr Hallgarth is hoping for a similar conclusion this time, and urged any sightings to be reported on 01764 682823.
He said, “He is a very distinctive bird dark brown with a white head and tail, and a wing span of almost seven feet. You are unlikely to mistake him for a native species.
“The most important thing to remember is that he poses no danger to anyone or anything.”
The bald eagle, native to North America and the symbol of the USA, is a close relative of the white-tailed eagle, which has been reintroduced to parts of Scotland.