White-tailed Eagles, also known as sea eagles, are the heaviest bird of prey in the UK, and with a wing span of 2.5 metres are also the largest bird of prey in Europe. They became extinct in England at the end of the eighteenth century, and in Scotland by 1918. They were reintroduced to the Isle of Rum in 1975, and further young birds were later brought over from Norway. There are now some 40-50 territorial pairs in Scotland, though the breeding population is still very small and fragile. Sadly, some are still being lost as a result of illegal poisoning.