White-tailed sea eagles have bred in the east of Scotland for the first time in almost 200 years after a successful reintroduction project.
A pair released in 2009 have raised a healthy male chick in woodland in Fife, conservationists revealed.
With sea eagles established on the west coast, the conservationists say it is a step towards a healthy population of the species across the country.
A total of 85 eagles were released on the east coast as part of the reintroduction programme, with their progress and location regularly monitored by staff and volunteers.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "Young birds successfully released five or six years ago are now pairing up in the wild and we are very excited a chick from a nest in Fife has safely fledged.
"We owe a great deal to the project staff, farmers, landowners, partners and, of course, the general public for their support and enthusiasm.
"Our focus now will be to continue monitoring this youngster and the other east coast birds with the expectation of more breeding attempts next year."
Once a regular sight in Scottish skies, the white-tailed sea eagle was wiped out during the Victorian era. The last native bird was killed on Shetland in 1918.
The species only returned to the UK following a successful reintroduction to the west of Scotland, starting on the island of Rum in 1975.
Conservationists worked with Norwegian bird experts, visiting nesting sites and selecting suitable chicks to use for their reintroduction to the east of Scotland.
The project is supported by Heritage Lottery Fund.
Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "This is fantastic news. I hope it will be the first of many of this magnificent species which will eventually spread their territories right across Scotland. I'd like to thank all partners who have played their part in making this exciting and special event happen."
East Scotland eagle sightings can be reported to eastscotlandseaeagles@rspb.org.uk.
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