Murphy, the eagle who stole our hearts, passes away at 33

Murphy, l’aquila calva che aveva covato una roccia convinta che fosse un uovo, è morta in Missouri all’età di 33 anni a causa delle tempeste che hanno colpito la regione

Murphy, the bald eagle whose heartwarming display of fatherly instinct touched people worldwide, passed away in Missouri on March 15th due to severe storms that struck the region. A resident of the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Murphy was 33 years old, a remarkable age for his species, which typically lives between 20 and 25 years.

A symbol of parental instinct and unconditional love

Murphy’s story became globally known in 2023 when he was captured on video attempting to incubate a rock, convinced it was an egg. The image of Murphy protecting his “stone egg” moved millions, turning him into a symbol of parental instinct and unconditional love.

Moved by his actions, the sanctuary staff decided to give Murphy an injured eaglet to care for. With his natural nurturing instincts, Murphy tended to the young bird with great care, guiding it to full recovery before releasing it back into the wild.

A second chance at fatherhood

The following year, Murphy once again became an adoptive father to another eaglet in need of care. He proved himself to be an extraordinary parent once more, further solidifying his altruistic nature and his role as an ambassador for his species. The second eaglet, currently still undergoing rehabilitation, is expected to be released into the wild by summer.

He suffered a head injury

The World Bird Sanctuary announced Murphy’s passing with deep sorrow, explaining that he was found lifeless in his aviary on the morning of March 15th. An autopsy revealed that he had suffered head trauma, likely from a clumsy jump or a sudden gust of wind. Despite having faced countless storms throughout his life without issue, something that night may have led to his tragic end.

His three aviary companions are in good health, and the sanctuary sustained no damage. The sanctuary emphasized that it always has emergency plans in place for adverse weather conditions, but sometimes, accidents are unavoidable.

To honor Murphy’s memory and his extraordinary contributions to protecting struggling eaglets, the sanctuary announced plans to build a special aviary for orphaned or injured birds. This structure will be named Murphy’s Manor to ensure that his legacy lives on and continues to inspire future generations.