From Viral Sensation to Foster Dad: Bald Eagle on an Egg-Rock Cares for Injured Eaglet

A male bald eagle by the name of Murphy has been making headlines for his admirable parenting skills. 

Murphy, a 31-year-old bald eagle residing at the World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri, gained viral attention last month after he was seen attentively incubating a rock that he had mistaken for an egg. 

The sanctuary had noticed that Murphy had built a rudimentary nest on the ground and was carefully incubating what he believed to be an egg. The heartwarming post quickly went viral, with people expressing their concern for Murphy and his rock baby. 

However, the sanctuary reassured everyone that Murphy was doing just fine and that there was no need to worry. Despite his permanent wing injury, Murphy continues to inspire as a devoted and loving parent.

“We wish Murphy all the luck in the world, but we’re not telling him the reality of the situation. We have yet to see a rock hatch.” 

According to keepers, Murphy’s behavior of nurturing a rock as an egg is just a hormonal response to spring, and it’s a very natural behavior for a male bald eagle. 

They assured fans that Murphy is not sad, so there is no need to feel sad for him. Despite keepers’ expectations that Murphy would eventually grow bored of the rock, he remained committed to it, and things reached a boiling point by the first week of April. 

Get Our FREE Bird Feeder Cheat Sheet

Want more birds in your backyard? Get simple tips on attracting feathered friends and maximizing your bird feeding setup. Our free cheat sheet has got you covered!

Download The FREE Cheat Sheet

His protection of the rock was stressing other bald eagle occupants, so he was moved to his own private enclosure. At 31 years old, Murphy was determined to become a first-time dad, and fortunately, the sanctuary had just the thing for him.

“Murphy is not sad, so you don’t need to be. Male bald eagles take an equal part in raising young, so this is [a] very natural behavior for a male.” 

In early April, World Bird Sanctuary received a young bald eagle who needed a foster parent due to a fractured wing. Murphy was initially hesitant to take on the role of a foster parent. However, a few days later, the sanctuary announced that Murphy would be given a chance to bond with the eaglet. 

The first step was to place the chick in Murphy’s enclosure within a small cage, with a warmer, and observe his reaction. The sanctuary asked for people to “keep their talons crossed” in the hope that Murphy would take to the eaglet positively.

“Keep your talons crossed.” 

After safely allowing the eaglet and Murphy to get acclimated to each other, the staff at the sanctuary released the chick from its protective cage and gave Murphy a chance to start the bonding process. 

Through a peephole, the staff watched as Murphy examined the eaglet from afar. The next morning, they were thrilled to discover that Murphy had successfully fed the baby.

“IT’S HAPPENING!!!! … MURPHY FED THE BABY!!!!

Now the staff will be as hands-off as possible to allow maximum bonding between Murphy and the eaglet to foster a natural upbringing in a rehabilitation setting. 

In the end, Murphy’s story is a heartwarming tale of love and compassion, proving that even in the animal kingdom, family knows no bounds. Despite his permanent wing injury, Murphy has shown remarkable resilience, first with his devotion to a rock and then as a foster dad to a young eaglet.

Through his natural instincts and love, Murphy has become an inspiration to us all. As the staff at World Bird Sanctuary step back and allow Murphy and his new eaglet to bond, we can only hope that their relationship will continue to flourish and that Murphy’s legacy will live on for years to come.

Get Our FREE Bird Feeder Cheat Sheet

Want more birds in your backyard? Get simple tips on attracting feathered friends and maximizing your bird feeding setup. Our free cheat sheet has got you covered!

Download The FREE Cheat Sheet