SCOTLAND is home to a great number of iconic wild animals, including the golden eagle, puffins, and red deer.
However, there is a fascinating bird which can only be found in the Highlands, making it the UK and Scotland's only endemic avian creature.
The fascinating animal, which is known as the Scottish crossbill, was confirmed as a unique species back in 2006 because of what some scientists have dubbed its "Scottish accent".
How to identify a Scottish crossbill and what makes them so unique?
According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Scottish crossbill can be "very difficult to distinguish from the other members of the crossbill," but has been described as a thick-set finch with a large head and bill.
However, Forestry and Land Scotland notes that the main reason why this species is considered unique compared to other crossbills is its apparent "Scottish accent".
While their "clear metallic jip jip jip calls" may sound nearly identical to that of other crossbill species, sonograms show that their call is "subtly different," like an accent.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust adds that the bird is "intermediate in size" when compared to common and parrot crossbills, measuring roughly 16cm in length, with a wingspan of 29cm.
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How to catch a glimpse of the Scottish crossbill
Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the endemic species are in luck as it is resident throughout the year and breeds in the early summer months, according to Wild Scotland.
Found only in the Highlands, the best places to see these birds are in the mature Scots pine woods.
Here, families can be seen feeding together at the tops of conifers from June onwards.
Current estimates place the number of Scottish crossbills at around 20,000, with these birds laying between two and five eggs.
