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Alex the African Grey Parrot When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and bought an exuberant one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex and began a 30-year experiment that altered the way we think about the intelligence of birds. Her research with Alex challenged the common belief birds can only imitate human language without understanding meaning. What is Alex? At first, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was just an ordinary African grey parrot that was purchased from the pet retailer. But over the course of his life, he led trails in animal psychology that were beyond anything previously thought possible. He also proved that animals are as intelligent as primates or dolphins. Alex was among the most famous talking bird in the world until his death in 2007. He appeared on TV shows and in scientific reports. In his lifetime, Alex learned over 150 words and could recognize the colors, shapes materials, and the sizes of objects. Alex also understood the meanings behind words, something that is not typical for birds. For instance, if you hear the word “grape” he would recognize that it was a fruit, not a vegetable. This was due to the way that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She along with a colleague would take on the role of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was rewarded for his correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object that went with the word. She also taught Alex the meaning of words, not just the sounds. This was an innovative method, as it is typically the case that pet parrots get taught words to be fun only. When owners use an idiom but they don't actually mean what they are saying. However with Alex when he spoke an exact word, he truly meant what he was saying. parrots african grey for sale Charming African Grey Parrot For Sale are enthralled by the fact that Alex could acquire so much, some scientists have argued that it is unfair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that even though Alex was capable of communicating, he did not have the ability to work with logical expressions like “if you have x, then you have y.” Although this is still a matter of debate however, the fact is that Alex set the stage for research into animal intelligence and consciousness. He was one of the world's most famous talking parrots until his passing in 2007, at the age 31. What was Alex like? Alex was an infamous member of a gang that enjoyed brutal acts. Despite his violent tendencies, Alex was a likable person and seemed to appreciate the power he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life which was violence and classical music, particularly Beethoven and his songs, which always brought up images of blood and depravity for him. The group would drink milk that was laced with drugs in order to prepare themselves for “ultraviolence.” Alex's non-remarkable experience as an African Grey parrot at a pet store served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able teach him words and concepts quickly. Her thirty-year study of him revolutionized the theories of animal cognition and communication. She acknowledges Alex with teaching her how to use the model that was effective for animals as well as children who had learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is now a professor at the University of Washington, where she continues her pioneering research with birds. Alex is the youngest of the group, and also the most playful. She's a bit of a tomboy, and has been described by others as being a bit ticklish. She is also the biggest animal lover in the group. She is usually the one to make peace when Clover and Sam get into meaningless arguments (such as “Abductions”) Alex has a strong opinion of who she is, which she uses as a tool to manipulate others. This has led her to get into conflict with other gang members, such as her longtime enemy Gigi who she blames for spilling juice on her blanket as when she was a kid (“Mime World”) She has also developed an Emo/Goth-like personality and loves dressing in black clothes and writing poems about love and loss (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The writers of the show have said that Seth MacFarlane's song is her most favorite and that she has dated him. What was Alex's level of intelligence? When Alex was an African grey parrot first came into animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's world in 1977, he might have seemed like just another pet. However, over the following 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology, proving that birds aren't just “rabbit brains.” When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an accomplished talker. He could categorize and rename objects, as well as identify them and even ask for them. He could also express emotions, such as when he felt unhappy or dissatisfied during training sessions. He would let his trainers know this by putting his chin on the cage, or saying loudly “I want banana.” Alex's brain was so sophisticated that he was able recognize and even categorize objects and their colors, shapes and materials. He could also discern the distinction between the plastic bag and a wooden box, as well as count and compare quantities of different objects. He even understood the concept zero, something that humans typically do not grasp until they are around four years old! Alex's skills were impressive as, unlike other parrots, he could understand what he said. He was capable of using his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe, request, and refuse objects, and also convey their dimensions and materials. He also demonstrated an ability to recognize analogies and recognize the written form of words, though he did not seem to associate these with their spoken versions. Parrots are the majority of birds that learn words, but do not comprehend their meaning. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would play out scenarios that involved the object they wanted him to know about. This method is called the rival model and has become a well-known method to teach animals. In addition to his brain skills, Alex was a friendly, playful companion who loved to interact with his owners. He was often an advisor and cheerleader in the training sessions. He would encourage his owners or remind them to do better. He was also extremely observant and was able to recognize the emotions of his human companions. He would jump into the arms of his owner when she was happy, and cling to her leg if she was sad or upset. What was the impact of Alex's actions? In the short time he lived, Alex changed the lives of a lot of people. His legacy is a testament to his strength of character and determination. He was a source of inspiration for many climbers, mountaineers, and people who aspired to live life on their own terms. He taught people that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. He believed that if you don't care what others think of you, you can reach excellence. Through his life Chris/Alex was faced with a lot of challenges. He had to face the loss of his father, financial hardships and even adversity. He was capable of overcoming all these obstacles by his sheer determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his goal of becoming a mountaineer. He never gave up on his dream of becoming an mountain climber. Even after his passing, he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about Alex's life and incredible climbing achievements. This movie has received a lot of critical acclaim, and is considered to be one of the best documentaries of all time. It has been awarded numerous awards, including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. Alex Pepperberg was the first person to pioneer bird intelligence in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. Alex was able to perform more than 100 vocal labels for actions and objects, was able to count sets of objects up to six, and showed math skills that were advanced for an avian at the time. He could also communicate with other animals using sign language and had a good understanding of grammar. He used the method of training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers demonstrating to the bird what they wanted it to learn. The trainers would switch places frequently so that the bird could be capable of interacting with them both and receive praise and attention from each. After the success of Free Solo, Alex was given the title of National Hero by President Barack Obama in 2014. Alex was able accomplish so much in his lifetime due to his determination of character, and his determination to live his life on his terms.