Eagle Fosters Eaglet After Incubating a Rock

Why this is here: Murphy, a bald eagle nearing the end of his natural lifespan, successfully fostered two eaglets in his final years despite never raising a chick before.

At World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri, a 31-year-old bald eagle named Murphy initially became known for incubating a rock as if it were an egg. Keepers at the sanctuary observed Murphy carefully arranging leaves and branches around the rock, and fiercely guarding it from other eagles. Staff created a sign explaining his behavior to visitors and eventually moved him and the rock to a separate enclosure due to the disruption he caused.

When a chick was blown from its nest during a windstorm, sanctuary staff saw an opportunity. They introduced the injured eaglet to Murphy, hoping he would foster it. Murphy quickly embraced the role, feeding the chick even after it couldn’t return to the nest, and demonstrating full parental care.

Both of Murphy’s fostered eaglets were successfully released into the wild. Following his death in March 2025, the sanctuary plans to name a new aviary “Murphy’s Manor” in his honor, continuing his legacy of care.