Police say a red kite found dead in Aberdeenshire earlier this year had been poisoned.

A member of the public discovered the bird of prey's remains at Morven Hill, near Dinnet, on 30 June.

Red kites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to kill them.

Police Scotland wild crime liaison officer Ann Ashman said: "Poisoning a bird or animal is not only cruel and callous, but it can harm other wildlife as well as members of the public."

Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch.

Ashman said: "Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

"We would urge the public not to handle any dead animals they may find."

The officer added: "I would appeal to anyone with any information about the poisoning of these birds to contact us."

Red kites were almost extinct in the UK by the end of the 19th Century but reintroduction projects led by the RSPB and other organisations have increased their numbers.

With a wingspan of up to 6ft (1.8m), it is one of Britain's largest birds of prey. It known for its reddish-brown body, forked tail and distinctive "mewing" calls.

According to the RSPB, the UK is now home to about 17% of the world's red kite population.

They are largely scavengers, feeding on dead animals and small prey such as rabbits.