A cherished bald eagle, known for his unique behavior of incubating a rock, has passed away at the age of 33, following severe storms in Missouri. This beloved avian, named Murphy, was a resident at the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri, where he exceeded the typical lifespan of 25 years.
Sanctuary officials indicated that the intense storms, which caused substantial destruction and resulted in 12 fatalities, may have contributed to Murphy’s demise. Although birds at the sanctuary have access to shelters for storm protection, there was no evacuation as tornadoes were not reported in the area. Remarkably, three other birds in the same shelter as Murphy survived the ordeal.
A veterinarian conducted a necropsy, revealing that the bald eagle had suffered head trauma. Sanctuary representatives stated, “We cannot confirm whether Murphy was startled and injured himself when jumping off a perch or if the harsh weather conditions played a role in his injury.”
Murphy lived in the sanctuary’s Avian Avenue exhibit and gained fame in 2023 for nurturing an injured eaglet after his attempt to incubate a rock garnered public attention. His dedication to the eaglet resulted in its successful rehabilitation and return to the wild. Another eaglet is currently in Murphy’s care and is expected to be released this summer.
In tribute to Murphy’s impactful legacy, the sanctuary plans to establish a new eagle fostering aviary named “Murphy’s Manor,” ensuring that his memory will endure for years to come.
