Murphy, a beloved bald eagle, dies following violent storms in Missouri

ABC News - Mar 22nd, 2025
Open on ABC News

Murphy, a cherished bald eagle known for his unique behavior of incubating a rock, has passed away at the age of 33 after intense storms hit Missouri. The World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park confirmed Murphy's death, suspecting that the violent weather may have contributed to his demise. Despite having access to shelters designed for such conditions, Murphy sustained head trauma, possibly from being startled or affected by the storm's elements. The sanctuary, which did not evacuate because no tornadoes were imminent, expressed sorrow over the loss of Murphy, who exceeded the average life span of his species.

Murphy became a symbol of resilience and care at the sanctuary, especially after he was given the opportunity to foster and nurture injured eaglets to health. His nurturing efforts were celebrated, and plans are underway to honor his legacy by naming an eagle fostering aviary 'Murphy’s Manor.' This gesture aims to ensure that Murphy's contributions to wildlife care and the sanctuary community are remembered for years to come. The story of Murphy highlights the challenges faced by wildlife during extreme weather events and the bonds formed between humans and the animals in their care.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded and engaging account of Murphy, the bald eagle's story, balancing factual reporting with emotional storytelling. Its strengths lie in its accuracy, clarity, and timeliness, effectively capturing readers' attention and raising awareness about wildlife conservation. However, the article could benefit from a broader range of sources and perspectives to enhance its balance and source quality. While it is unlikely to provoke significant controversy, the story touches on important environmental themes that may inspire public discussion. Overall, the article succeeds in informing and engaging readers, highlighting the significance of conservation efforts and the impact of environmental factors on wildlife.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article provides a generally accurate account of Murphy, the bald eagle's story, including his age, the circumstances of his death, and his fame for incubating a rock. The claim that Murphy was 33 years old and surpassed the average lifespan of bald eagles is supported by typical lifespan data, which ranges from 20 to 25 years. The report of his death following intense storms is consistent with available information, although the exact cause of death is unclear, as the necropsy revealed head trauma without specifying the role of the storm. The article accurately mentions the sanctuary's response to the storm, noting that no evacuations were performed due to the absence of tornado threats. However, the claim that three other birds in the same shelter survived may require further verification to ensure its truthfulness. Additionally, the details about Murphy's fame and the sanctuary's plans to honor him are consistent with known facts, supporting the article's accuracy.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of Murphy's life and the circumstances surrounding his death. It includes perspectives from the World Bird Sanctuary, which offers insights into their contingency plans and the necropsy results. However, the piece primarily focuses on the sanctuary's narrative and does not include external perspectives, such as those from wildlife experts or storm impact analysts, which could have provided a more comprehensive view of the situation. The article avoids sensationalism and presents the information in a straightforward manner, maintaining a neutral tone throughout. While it effectively covers the key aspects of the story, the inclusion of additional viewpoints could enhance the balance by offering a broader context.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language that makes it easy to understand. It logically presents the timeline of events, starting with Murphy's death and then providing background information about his life and fame. The tone is neutral and respectful, particularly when discussing Murphy's legacy and the sanctuary's plans to honor him. The use of direct quotes from the sanctuary adds clarity to the narrative and helps convey the emotional impact of the story. Overall, the article effectively communicates the main points without unnecessary complexity or ambiguity, ensuring that readers can easily grasp the key information.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on information from the World Bird Sanctuary, which is a credible source given its direct involvement with Murphy. However, the lack of diverse sources limits the depth of the report. Including statements or analyses from independent wildlife experts or meteorologists could strengthen the article's reliability by providing external validation of the claims. The sanctuary's statements are presented as factual without much scrutiny, which may affect the impartiality of the reporting. While the sanctuary is a reputable source, the article would benefit from a wider range of authoritative voices to corroborate the details and enhance the overall credibility.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent about the source of its information, primarily relying on statements from the World Bird Sanctuary. It clearly outlines the basis for claims, such as the necropsy results and the sanctuary's contingency plans. However, it does not delve into the methodology or the process by which the necropsy was conducted, leaving some questions about the thoroughness of the investigation. The article also lacks disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest that the sanctuary might have, such as reputational concerns following the eagle's death. While the transparency regarding the source is adequate, more detailed explanations of the investigative processes would improve the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/bald-eagle-murphy-death-world-bird-sanctuary-missouri
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwP0yh9boTM
  3. https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2025-03-19/murphy-bald-eagle-missouri-world-bird-sanctuary-dead-storms
  4. https://www.kob.com/news/us-and-world-news/murphy-a-beloved-bald-eagle-who-became-a-foster-dad-dies-following-violent-storms-in-missouri/