Meet Mr. Magoo

Marsh Haven Nature Center is home to animals of all sizes and species. It all started with a live quail room and transitioned into our animal ambassador program. Mr. Magoo is a ring-neck dove retired from a magic show. When we acquired Magoo in October of 2014, I was told he was blind in one eye. I could tell, because of his behavior, that his eyesight was rapidly declining. A visit to our exotic vet at Spartan Animal Hospital in McFarland, confirmed that Magoo has no sight in his right eye and only a sliver of sight in his left. Otherwise he is in very good health with a body condition score of 5, which is excellent. The loss of sight is due to cataracts and our vet said there is no feasible treatment for it at this time. 

I’ve tried some different housing arrangements for Mr. Magoo to enhance his quality of life and work with his loss of vision. Finally I think we’ve stumbled upon the best situation. I put him in with one of our other doves, Mac, who came from a bird rescue. As far as I know, Mac has never been with another bird, he was surrendered by a family who could no longer keep him. Mac is very friendly and is usually the one to travel to programs representing the bird species. Mac has a large cage and has shown lots of interest in the other birds. I put the two together under supervision and it has worked out well. Mac is quite keen to have a roommate and Magoo knows there is another bird with him. 

Since Magoo does not fly because he can’t tell where he is, he is content to stay on the bottom of the cage, Mac has all his toys, perches and food/water at the top of the cage and Magoo has a low perch, food and water and several other perchable items on the ground and both birds seem quite content. Magoo had been experiencing what the vet called seizures – we were not sure if it was neurological or behavioral episodes, but so far in these new living conditions he has not had any. Let’s hope Magoo continues to do well, I’ve grown quite fond of this bird!