Bald Eagles, But Make It Throuple: Trio of Feathered Friends Achieve Parenting Success in Illinois

Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager

Apr 8, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

The trio of bald eagles in Illinois, known as Valor I, Valor II, and Starr, have been raising eaglets together since 2018. Valor I and Valor II are a male-male pair who took over a nest in the area after the previous female, known as Hope, died. Starr, the new female in their polyamorous trio, joined the pair and has been co-parenting with them ever since. Listen, it takes a village to raise children, so the more hands (or talons), the better.

While it is not common for bald eagles to form trios, the USFWS notes that the three eagles have developed a strong bond and have successfully raised eaglets together for several years. This just goes to show you that love is love, and also that the economy is so hard right now that even eagles need three incomes nowadays just to raise a family.

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via Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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via Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

We can't tell you for sure if the two in the photo are Valor I and II, but they look like they have no idea what to do with the baby, so it's probably them. That's the look of a man who is in over his head!
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via Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

They're probably yelling at the camera saying something like, "Leave us be! Go watch Love Is Blind or something and let us have some privacy for a second!"
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