SANTA CLARA — As the dust settles on Super Bowl LX, the biggest conversation isn’t about the final score at Levi’s Stadium, but the final 10 seconds of Budweiser’s “American Icons.” The shot of a full-grown bald eagle unfurling its wings behind a galloping Clydesdale—briefly creating the silhouette of a living Pegasus—has been called “the most beautiful thing ever put on film.” But with beauty comes skepticism. Social media has been ablaze with theories that the moment was “too perfect” to be real.

However, the truth behind the production is even more impressive than the ad itself. From safety protocols to the real-life bond between the animals, here is how director Henry-Alex Rubin pulled off the “miracle of 2026.”

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‘NO AI, NO SHORTCUTS’: THE PRODUCTION SECRETS

In an era where most animal shots are generated in a studio, Budweiser took a ‘brave’ stance. A spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch confirmed that zero artificial intelligence was used in the making of the commercial.

• The Eagle: The star is Lincoln, a 28-year-old bald eagle from the American Eagle Foundation (AEF). He’s the same bird who famously soars over Lincoln Financial Field for Philadelphia Eagles games.

• The Location: While it looks like a timeless American prairie, the spot was actually filmed in California over several days to capture the perfect natural light.

• The Training: Lincoln wasn’t “forced” to fly. AEF uses a “bird-first behavior” model. The takeoff was achieved by placing his favorite trainers at specific points; Lincoln “chose” to fly from the horse to his handler because he trusts them.