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Spring can spark many changes in animals. In the case of a 31-year-old bald eagle named Murphy, it triggered the need to build a nest and care for a rock as if it were a real egg. People online were amused by his ritual, but the World Bird Sanctuary, where he resides, promised it was a natural instinct from his spring hormones. The story took a happy turn, however, when Murphy was introduced to a baby eaglet and transferred his paternal instincts to the baby bird.
Murphy was first seen trying to hatch his precious rock in late March. “Very quietly and inconspicuously, one of our bald eagles, Murphy (male) has built an extremely simple nest on the ground and is incubating his single ‘egg' very carefully and attentively,” the World Bird Sanctuary tweeted. Some commenters expressed concern about how Murphy would fair when his rock doesn't hatch, but the sanctuary quickly assured people that the behavior was normal. “Murphy does not need a real egg to feel accomplished!! He’s quite content with his rock, and VERY protective of it!” they wrote. “After his spring hormones have run their course, he will get bored and move on to other activities. Poor rock.”
However, due to Murphy's protective behavior—which was disrupting the large aviary he shares with other eagles—he and his rock had to be moved to a private enclosure. Around the same time, the sanctuary received a rescue eaglet who was in need of a foster parent. Despite Murphy's age and lack of parenting experience, the staff decided to give him a test run and slowly introduced the eaglet to him in short private sessions. Slowly but surely, Murphy began to channel his paternal instincts to the baby bird.
“Bald Eaglet 23-126 was let out of the baby jail for a full introduction to Murphy yesterday and so far things are going very well! A staff member watched initial interactions through a peephole to make sure the eaglet was safe,” shared the sanctuary. “It took Murphy an hour before he approached 23-126 and examined with curiosity.” From there, Murphy and the eaglet's relationship continued to blossom as Murphy has even begun feeding it meals. We're happy to see that Murphy's dream of being a parent is finally being fulfilled.
You can follow the World Bird Sanctuary on Twitter and Instagram to get updates on Murphy and the eaglet.
Murphy, a 31-year-old bald eagle who tried to hatch a rock, has been given a real eaglet to raise.
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In March, Murphy was filmed protecting a rock as if it was a real egg.
Very quietly and inconspicuously, one of our bald eagles, Murphy (male) has built an extremely simple nest on the ground and is incubating his single “egg” very carefully and attentively.
We wish Murphy all the luck in the world, but we have yet to see a rock hatch. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/1PR1xS9X8x— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) March 24, 2023
Due to his protective instincts, the World Bird Sanctuary decided to move him to a private enclosure.
The continuing saga of “Days of our Lives – WBS Bald Eagle Aviary Edition” reaches a boiling point.
Our beloved Murphy the eagle has begun to cause a BIT too much drama with his over exuberant protection of his nest and rock-baby in the 90,000+ cubic square foot eagle aviary pic.twitter.com/ylnxgVp3qM
— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 5, 2023
There, he was introduced to a baby eagle.
Here’s the Murphy update you’ve all been waiting for…
Murphy will be given a chance this week to bond with the eaglet we received last week. pic.twitter.com/bLEwTft9M0— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 6, 2023
And Murphy quickly bonded to the eaglet, transferring his paternal instincts from the rock to the eaglet.
Does this behavior look familiar to you? Murphy has transferred his protection of RockBaby to the eaglet.
So far, so good, but the real test is coming soon! pic.twitter.com/C4yt4UfmPP— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 10, 2023
IT’S HAPPENING!!!
Bald Eaglet 23-126 was let out of the baby jail for a full introduction to Murphy yesterday and so far things are going very well! A staff member watched initial interactions through a peep hole to make sure the eaglet was safe. It took Murphy an hour before he pic.twitter.com/mley9VYd2G— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 12, 2023
It’s just too much for the heart to handle. The fact that the chick’s face is blurry is incredibly endearing.
All the funds made on this fundraiser will go right into that blurry beak, and the one feeding it! https://t.co/YfHmGGAa7u
Type RockBaby in the comments of the donation! pic.twitter.com/wxezwulCO5— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 13, 2023
And we’re back with a Murphy/Eaglet update! pic.twitter.com/KKtGwNEymt
— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 17, 2023
People are overjoyed for the little family, and have made cute comics to celebrate.
#julesbehrens pic.twitter.com/Wujwjos6dt
— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 17, 2023
#mrcootoons #artsybirdsquad pic.twitter.com/bRbMeWQiXi
— World Bird Sanctuary CEO (@WBSSTL) April 16, 2023
Murphy and his lil muppet 🤎🦅 pic.twitter.com/yNDAxoFOeh
— Good Egg 🐣 (@corviforms) April 13, 2023
World Bird Sanctuary: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [BoingBoing]
All images via World Bird Sanctuary.
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