Beloved Bald Eagle, Murphy, Passes Away During Tornado
The animal loving community across the United States is mourning the loss of Murphy, a 33 year old bald eagle who gained widespread attention for his unique nurturing behavior. Murphy, a resident of the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri, passed away during the severe storms and tornadoes that swept through the St. Louis area last weekend.
The sanctuary staff discovered Murphy’s body in his aviary on Saturday morning. A subsequent necropsy, performed by animal experts, revealed that he had suffered head trauma. While the exact cause of the injury remains undetermined, the sanctuary believes it may have been a result of the storm’s intensity. Possible scenarios include Murphy being startled and hitting his head while attempting to move from a perch, or that the high winds and precipitation directly contributed to the injury.
"We are unable to determine if Murphy was spooked by something and hit his head while jumping off a perch or if wind and precipitation played a part in the injury," the sanctuary stated. "While Murphy experienced countless storms throughout the years with us without issue, this storm may have contributed to his passing."
Murphy’s story is one of resilience and unexpected parenthood. Due to a permanent wing injury, he was unable to fly and was expected to live out his days at the sanctuary. The sanctuary has protocols in place to ensure the safety of its birds during severe weather events, with indoor shelters available to all birds in outdoor aviaries. However, the sanctuary indicated that the recent storm did not warrant a full scale bird evacuation as no tornadoes directly approached the grounds.
"While we do everything that we can to keep our birds safe, accidents outside of our control can happen," staff wrote.
What truly set Murphy apart was his remarkable behavior in the spring of 2023. He captivated the hearts of millions when he adopted a rock, treating it as if it were a real egg. He carefully built a nest, complete with leaves and branches, and diligently sat on the rock, patiently waiting for it to hatch.
The sanctuary explained that male bald eagles naturally share in the responsibilities of raising young. Murphy’s nurturing instinct, even towards an inanimate object, was simply an expression of his hormonal response to springtime.
"Although it might make you feel sad that Murphy has built a nest and is nurturing a rock as an egg, it’s just his hormonal response to spring," the sanctuary wrote. "Murphy is not sad, so you don’t need to be."
Initially, the sanctuary staff allowed Murphy to continue his peculiar incubation. However, his services were eventually needed for a more pressing matter. An orphaned eagle, only one to two weeks old, was brought to the sanctuary. Despite the arrival of a real eaglet, Murphy remained steadfast in his devotion to his rock. He would fiercely defend his nest and its rocky occupant from the other eagles in the aviary, screaming and charging at them. To alleviate the stress on the other birds, the sanctuary decided to move Murphy and his beloved rock to a separate enclosure.
The sanctuary, recognizing Murphy’s potential, made a heartwarming decision in April 2023. They removed the rock and introduced Murphy to the orphaned eaglet. At 31 years old, Murphy had never fathered an eaglet, and this was his chance to experience fatherhood.
The bond between Murphy and the baby eagle was immediate and profound. He shared meals with the youngster, demonstrated how to bathe and clean its feet, and provided constant care and attention. There was a brief separation due to a tornado, but the father and son were quickly reunited. The sanctuary documented these precious moments, sharing footage of their heartwarming interactions with the world.
By July 2023, the young eagle, designated as 23-126, was ready for release into the wild, and Murphy officially became an empty nester. However, this was not the end of Murphy’s journey as a foster father.
In 2024, Murphy embraced fatherhood once again, fostering another eaglet in need with the same unwavering dedication. This second eaglet remains in the sanctuary’s care and is progressing well towards release, expected to occur by mid summer.
The experience of fatherhood seemed to have a noticeable impact on Murphy’s personality. The sanctuary staff jokingly noted that he became a bit bossier than before. He also became more vocal, often yelling and screeching. Although his voice sounded hoarse compared to other bald eagles, veterinary examinations never revealed any underlying medical issues.
The World Bird Sanctuary highlighted that the typical lifespan for bald eagles ranges from 20 to 25 years, making Murphy’s 33 years a testament to the exceptional care he received.
Murphy’s legacy extends far beyond his time at the sanctuary. He became a symbol of compassion, resilience, and the unexpected bonds that can form in the animal kingdom. His story has touched the hearts of millions around the globe.
"His resilience, spirit, and dedication as a foster dad touched the hearts of millions of people throughout the world, leaving an especially profound impact on those fortunate enough to have worked with him," the sanctuary concluded.
Murphy’s passing is a great loss to the World Bird Sanctuary and the wider animal loving community. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his rock, his loving care for his foster eaglets, and the joy he brought to so many.
