Wildlife in Aberdeenshire and Moray: Science aims to save the 'Horse of the Forest'
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Ground-breaking genetic research is under way to try save Scotland's most iconic bird from extinction.
Capercaillie numbers have fallen by over 90% over the course of the past 50 years.
And their decline is continuing at pace.
The past six years alone have seen the population drop by as much as a third.
The majority of Scotland's remaining 700 birds are now only found in the Cairngorms.
With their numbers having fallen so low, scientists believe the capercaillie is at risk of a genetic bottleneck.
In response, a team from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has begun analysing DNA samples as part of a project funded by the National Lottery.
Dr Alexander Ball said: "Understanding the genetic diversity of the UK’s capercaillie population is critical for its long-term survival and resilience to threats.
"Our research will determine whether the conservation focus needs to be on expanding the gene pool rather than simply increasing numbers.
"We will be using a novel technique that will maximise our ability to work with the degraded DNA fragments found in feathers."
The team, based at a laboratory in Edinburgh Zoo, have extracted DNA from the shafts of feathers collected in the Cairngorms.
Carolyn Robertson, project manager for the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, said: "A small army of people responded to our call for help.
"Foresters, rangers, stalkers, gamekeepers, ecologists and trained volunteers have carefully gathering over 1000 feathers to be sent to the lab."
In addition, DNA samples have been obtained from Sweden, Poland, Germany, Austria, Norway and the French Pyrenees where numbers are also in decline.
The aim is to gain an insight into genetic differences between Scotland's capercaillie population and elsewhere.
Carolyn added: "This method of analysis has never been used in capercaillie conservation before.
"It will significantly help the management of these birds in the UK, and could also pave the way for future conservation projects abroad."
The scientists also aim to source DNA samples from old Scottish capercaillie specimens to compare them with the present-day population.
These samples are usually taken from the toe pads of historic specimens now preserved for display.
Contact has already been made with private collection owners across Scotland.
But anyone who owns a capercaillie specimen is being asked to contribute to the research by emailing capercaillie@cairngorms.co.uk
The size of a turkey, the bird is the largest member of the grouse family.
Each Spring they gather in specific areas of pinewood to mate.
The males perform an extraordinary courtship display called a lek (old Norse for ‘dance’).
This involves strutting about with their heads high and tails fanned.
The males also make strange wheezing and clattering noises.
These weirdly un-bird-like sounds have resulted in the capercaillie receiving its 'Horse of the Forest' nickname.
