After hatching the rock, the bald eagle believes he is a father and adopts a baby bird

31-year-old bald eagle spent a month brooding on a rock before being given a calf to care for

Workers at a Missouri bird sanctuary were amazed by the behavior of a named bald eagle murphy, 31 years old. Early last month, the bird started behaving like it was incubating an egg, even digging a hole in the ground and building a nest. When they went to examine what was underneath the bird, they realized that the animal was brooding on a rock.

Bald Eagle hatches Rock, gains real baby

Murphy stayed longer and longer on top of the rock, protecting it. He has also developed a violent attitude towards other birds in the area, aggressively tending to “egg” him. The animal had to be taken to another room, where it was left alone with its stone.

After a month, the pet’s opportunity to become a father became a reality. The sanctuary has welcomed a baby eagle who was placed in the care of the institution after falling from its nest. In addition to veterinary care, the animal needed an older bird to act as guardian before being released back into the wild.

The staff thought it was the perfect situation to help both animals. They removed Murphy’s stone and put the little eagle in its place. At first, they put the baby in a cage to see what the new father’s reception would be like, which went smoothly.

When it was time to feed the animals, the handlers would set out two dishes of food, one of them with a whole fish. They soon watched Murphy’s reaction, and he tore up the fish so he could feed his adopted son.

Murphy is no longer able to fly due to injury, but the new eagle, which has been christened “eagle 23-126”, will return to the wild as soon as she is better prepared. Meanwhile, he is in the care of his new family.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.