Bald eagle at Missouri sanctuary is incubating a rock. ‘We wish him the best of luck’

Murphy, a male bald eagle at the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri, is taking his fatherly duties seriously.

He’s built a nest for his “egg” and is guarding it from other birds. Murphy has even begun the incubating process by laying on top of it.

But there’s one problem. What Murphy believes is an egg is actually a rock.

Don’t feel sad for Murphy, the World Bird Sanctuary said in a March 26 post on Facebook.

“Murphy does not need a real egg to feel accomplished,” the St. Louis-area sanctuary said. “He’s quite content with his rock and VERY protective of it! After his spring hormones have run their course, he will get bored and move on to other activities.”

The sanctuary said Murphy has not chosen a mate and appears to be comfortable becoming a single father.

“We wish Murphy all the luck in the world, but we’re not telling him the reality of the situation,” the sanctuary said. “We have yet to see a rock hatch.”

Murphy is one of five bald eagles within the enclosure. There are approximately 270 animals in the facility.

The sanctuary said it will care for Murphy for the remainder of his life, as he has a permanent injury to one of his wings that prevents him from flying.

No word on if the sanctuary will also care for the rock.

Dawn Griffard, CEO of the World Bird Sanctuary, told CNN it takes 35 days for an eagle egg to hatch, so Murphy “might sit there a little longer.”

This story was originally published March 30, 2023 at 6:22 AM with the headline "Bald eagle at Missouri sanctuary is incubating a rock. ‘We wish him the best of luck’."