White-tailed eagles are the UK’s largest bird of prey. They became extinct in the UK during the 20th century due to extensive habitat changes and illegal killing. They were reintroduced in the late 1970s and there are now more than 100 territorial pairs in Scotland.
Maia, white-tailed eagle ambassador for the Ullapool Seas Savers, tells us why she loves this magnificent bird of prey.
The magnificent white-tailed eagle
Their amazing history
“I find it fascinating to hear about their incredible history. The fact that they went extinct is very sad, but I love that the re-introduction programme came in and saved them!”
They were first reintroduced on the west coast of Scotland in the 1970s, with the first pair breeding in 1983 and the first chick fledging in 1985. Thanks to two more phases of reintroduction, one in the 1990s in Wester Ross and another on the east coast of Scotland from 2007 – 2012, pairs have now been established on both coasts of Scotland. The population is slowly but continually rising. Find out more about the work being done to help this species here.
Their elegance
Read More @ Source: RSPB
