Murphy, an injured bald eagle, was rescued from the wild and has been residing at the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS) in Missouri for an extended period. Due to the severity of his injuries, it was too risky to release him back into the wild as he might not survive.
Despite being unable to venture out and start a family of his own, Murphy’s parental instincts remained strong. Recently, he has been observed diligently guarding an object on the ground. Murphy carefully covered a large rock with leaves and branches, treating it as if it were a real egg. Kerstin, one of the caretakers at the sanctuary, took notice of Murphy’s behavior and was touched by his dedication.
It became evident that Murphy yearned to become a parent and was earnestly watching over the rock he had chosen. This behavior mirrored the involvement of male bald eagles in the wild, who actively participate in caring for their young. However, it was heartbreaking for everyone at the sanctuary to witness Murphy waiting for something that would never happen.
To spare Murphy from heartbreak, the sanctuary decided to present him with a gift that would bring him true happiness. A powerful gust of wind had blown an eagle’s nest in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, causing two chicks to be separated from their home. Sadly, one chick didn’t survive, but the other was brought to the sanctuary for recovery. This presented a perfect opportunity to put Murphy’s parenting skills to the test, as the young eagle had lost its parents while Murphy longed for a little one of his own. It was a stroke of luck for both of them when they were introduced.
The sanctuary quickly shared this heartwarming update with the world. Murphy and the young eagle met for the first time, an event worth celebrating.
“Bald Eaglet 23-126 was released from the baby enclosure for a full introduction to Murphy yesterday, and things are progressing remarkably well! A staff member closely monitored their initial interactions through a peephole to ensure the eaglet’s safety. It took Murphy an hour before he approached 23-126, examining the young one with curiosity.” When they met, the eaglet was already full, so Murphy had to wait until the next day to provide a proper meal in his unique parenting style. Witnessing the bond between the bald eagle and the tiny newcomer was both heartwarming and adorable.
While everyone eagerly awaited the eaglet’s name, the sanctuary made the decision not to give it one, citing a specific reason.
“We refrain from naming our wildlife for superstitious reasons! There is a rehab superstition that named patients are cursed and either meet an unfortunate fate or become non-releasable.”
