White-tailed sea eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
White-tailed sea eagles are the largest of all European eagles and are broader and more vulture-like than golden eagles.
The birds were widespread in Scotland and Ireland but, following persecution, they became extinct in Britain in 1916.
They were reintroduced to the island of Rhum in 1975 and are now scattered along the west coast of Scotland.
White-tailed sea eagles are up to 91 centimetres (cm) long, with a wing span of up to 245cm. They weigh up to seven kilograms.
One of the chicks bred at Belfast Zoo was part of a successful reintroduction programme in Israel.
IUCN red list status
The IUCN status of the white-tailed sea eagle is least concern.
For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org
Animal class
Bird
Conservation status
The IUCN believe that the white-tailed sea eagle is not in any danger of extinction in the imminent future.
Habitat
Forest
Population
Experts believe that there are over 20,000 white-tailed sea eagles living in the wild. Their numbers appear to be recovering and growing over recent years.
Diet
Carnivore. These eagles eat mainly fish and carrion but will also eat other birds.