Day: June 18, 2023

In April, many of you may have seen on Facebook or other websites that a Bald Eagle (Murphy) was incubating a rock. This week, SIB member George Haskins sent us an update he saw in his local newspaper. The 31-year-old eagle is now fostering an eaglet. It seems to be an appropriate Father’s Day update.

The FoxWeather site gives a good summary and some great pictures and video.

Viral Missouri bald eagle that incubated rock now cares for eaglet: ‘The bonding we’re looking for’

Some excerpts:

“Although it might make you feel sad that Murphy has built a nest and is nurturing a rock as an egg, it’s just his hormonal response to spring,” the sanctuary posted on Facebook on March 26. “Murphy does not need a real egg to feel accomplished. He’s quite content with his rock, and VERY protective of it.”

It was later decided that the sanctuary would give Murphy a chance at fostering a rescued eaglet, dubbed nestling 23-126. It arrived at the sanctuary after an eagle nest containing two chicks near Ste. Genevieve was blown down by very high winds. One chick died in the fall, but the other was found and rescued by faithful nest watcher who brought it to World Bird Sanctuary’s Wildlife Hospital.

Prior to introducing the eaglet to Murphy, the caretakers carefully fed the eaglet wearing camouflage suit and holding a stuffed eagle to prevent the eaglet from imprinting on humans. Then the eaglet was gradually introduced to Murphy.

“As of now, Murphy and our juvenile are still in the same enclosure and are having their food ‘delivered’ secretly through a tube, which drops the food into baby’s nesting platform,” Holloway told FOX Weather. “This way, there is no human connection to the food and Murphy gets credit for it just by being there.”

New York Times included a quote: When, as a test, the keepers placed two plates of food in front of the birds — one containing food cut into pieces that the chick could eat by itself, and another with a whole fish that only Murphy could handle — the older bird tore up the fish and fed it to the eaglet, Ms. Griffard said.

Murphy has been exhibiting appropriate “fathering” behavior. Read more on FoxWeather and other sites.

As I sit in my favorite “office” writing this (which is our screened porch, overlooking our back yard and feeders), I can’t help but notice a male Eastern Bluebird. He’s flying back and forth, from the trees to the nest box we added this year. He’s definitely working overtime, delivering food to his hungry family.

We’ve been watching them all spring. My husband put up the new bluebird box in March and barely got back in the house before Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird had discovered and claimed it. Brood number two is about to fledge.

We’ve watched several feathered parents raise their young around our feeders this year. It’s impressive to see their dedication. So that got me thinking. Which bird dads make the best fathers?

Several resident male backyard birds get busy once the babies are hatched. Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Northern Mockingbirds, Tufted Titmice, Brown Thrashers, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers all take part in the whole process, including food delivery. They are the Door-Dashers of the bird world.

Male Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets gather nesting material, assist with incubation, and help feed the young.

Osprey, Owls and Eagles are also busy dads, hunting for food and feeding the female while she’s incubating, then feeding the hungry chicks after they hatch.

But what about superstar dads? Which feathered dad stands out as best of the best? Feathered Dad of the Year?

Downy Woodpeckers rank pretty high! They work together to build the nest and they both incubate the eggs during the day. But at night Dad takes over. Once babies arrive, he stays in the nest cavity with them at night until they fledge, keeping them warm and safe. Once fledged, he teaches them where and how to find food. Devoted from start to finish.

But Dad of the Year should go to a bird not found on Seabrook Island, not even close. The Emperor Penguin. According to Audubon, after mom lays a single egg she immediately transfers it to dad’s feet, where it stays warm under a brood pouch of skin and feathers. The female then heads off to the spa for weeks….no, not the spa, the “sea” for weeks, leaving dad to fend for himself against the frigid Antarctic winter. In fact, many Emperor penguin males huddle together for warmth during this critical time, all with the same responsibility of keeping the egg warm. Once mom returns, refreshed and well fed (maybe it was the spa), then dad takes off for his weeks-long feast with all the other guys. Eventually he returns and they work together, co-parenting their young.

So, while we enjoy backyard barbecues and summer fun with our dads this Father’s Day, don’t forget about all our feathered friends who are working around the clock, making sure their chicks are safe and well fed. No cookouts or beach days for them, they work straight through. For this we recognize all the Dad’s of the bird world. Happy Father’s Day!

Submitted by Gina Sanders