A pair of buzzards dumped in a dog crate may never be able to fly again, say rescuers.

The birds were left in a filthy condition outside the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, where it is thought they had been for some time.

Staff at the charity's centre discovered the fledgling birds and took them in for care on Tuesday, July 12.

Manager Colin Seddon said: "The birds were in a filthy condition and, judging by the amount of faeces inside the crate, had been kept in there for a considerable amount of time.

"Sadly, the buzzards are unable to fly due to being kept in cramped conditions and at this stage it's too early for us to say if they will ever be able to fly again.

"It will take a significant amount of work on the part of our wildlife team to get the birds flying if this is possible and then we will have to ensure they are in a suitable condition to fend for themselves in the wild.

"If these birds were taken from the wild to be kept as pets this would be an offence and we are appealing to anyone with information to contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999."