They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
If that is the case, then a parrot living in Yorkshire thinks very highly indeed of an osprey in Lochaber.
The 24-year-old African Grey named Sailor has begun calling like an osprey after its owners became addicted to online footage from a nest in the Highlands.
A far cry from Lochaber, the parrot lives with Stuart and Sue Brannen in Seamer just outside Scarborough.
She has been mimicking the hunger call of Aila, a female osprey whose nest is fitted with a camera that can be viewed live online.
The nest is at Loch Arkaig Forest near Spean Bridge, recently purchased by Woodland Trust Scotland in partnership with local group Arkaig Community Forest.
The camera is solar powered and will beam out live footage throughout the summer. The osprey pair have been named Louis and Aila.
The Brannens, who are keen bird watchers, have been glued to the drama.
Mr Brannen, aged 70, a retired merchant seaman, said: “We both have tablets and it has been riveting to watch Louis and Aila the osprey pair in Scotland.
“We have had the website on so much Sailor has started to mimic the pleading cry Aila makes when she wants Louis to feed her. It is remarkable! If you are in the other room you can’t tell if it is the osprey or the parrot making the noise.”
George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: “It seems our nest cam has brought a real call of the wild into people’s homes. Aside from Sailor we have heard there is a budgie somewhere which also thinks it’s an osprey now! So long as they don’t leave off the cuttlefish and develop a taste for fresh trout.
“Ospreys are very unconcerned by cameras so there are quite a few pairs people can watch. Some fans keep tabs on lots of different nests. We get comments below our live feed where visitors compare and contrast how birds are doing around the country. Its clearly quite addictive. Some people are glued to the tennis or cricket while others are glued to the ospreys.”
It has been a dramatic week at the nest. Two chicks hatched last weekend but one did not survive. Then the third and final egg hatched but again the chick died. The remaining chick is doing well.