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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 She began a 30-year research project that altered the way we think about the intelligence of birds. Her work with him challenged the common belief that birds only mimic human speech without any understanding of what it means. What is Alex? Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was initially an African grey parrot that was purchased at a pet store. Over the course of his life, he broke new ground in animal psychology, and proved that animals are as intelligent as primates or dolphins. Up until his death in 2007, Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds in the world, appearing on TV shows and in scientific reports. In his lifetime, Alex learned over 150 words and could identify the colors, shapes materials, and the sizes of objects. He also understood the meanings behind words, an ability that was not common for birds. When he heard the word “grape” and he realized that it was not a vegetable, but it was a fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a way that made him comprehend them. She and a colleague would play the role of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. When he heard the correct pronunciation and definition of the word and was rewarded with the object that went along with it. Another fascinating aspect of how she trained Alex was that she taught him the meaning behind words rather than just the sounds. This was a novel approach as pet parrots typically only learn words to enhance their novelty. When owners use an idiom but they don't actually mean what they are saying. However with Alex who spoke an exact word was a true statement of what he said. While many are awed by the fact that Alex could learn so much, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that while Alex could communicate, he wasn't able to use logical phrases like “if x then y.” Alex's work on animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. Up until his death in 2007 at 31 years of age, he was among the most well-known talking parrots in the history of the world. What was Alex's personality like? Alex was a violent member of a gang who enjoyed brutal actions. He was a likable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to be enjoying his power over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's music particularly, made images of depravity and blood for him. He also was known to drink milk that was spiked with drugs, which the gang members and he would then use to prepare themselves for their “ultraviolence.” Alex's background as a parrot in a pet shop was not remarkable but it was a great experience for him. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her research over thirty years on him changed the way we think about animal cognition and communication. She was credited by Alex for teaching her to apply the model of competition, which proved effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities. After her work with him, Dr. Pepperberg went on to study other parrots such as Wart and Griffin. She is now an instructor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering research with birds. Alex is the tiniest member of the group and the most playful. She's a more of a tween and has been described as being extremely teasing. She is also the most avid animal lover in the group. She is often the peacemaker when Clover and Sam get into meaningless arguments (such as “Abductions”) Alex has a strong sense of who she is that she uses to manipulate other people. This has led to her getting into fights with other members of the gang, including her longtime enemy Gigi who she blames for spilling juice on her blanket when she was an infant (“Mime World”) She also has developed an Emo/Goth persona and loves wearing black clothing and writing poetry about loss and love (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The show's creators have said that Seth MacFarlane's song is her favorite and that she dated him. What was Alex like in terms of intelligence? When Alex the African grey parrot first came into animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's home in 1977, he could have seemed like just another pet. Alex revolutionized the research into animal psychology by showing that birds are more than just “rabbit minds.” Alex was a skilled talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time at the pet store. He could categorize and name objects, as well as identify them and even ask for them. He could also express his emotions, for instance, when he was frustrated or annoyed during training sessions. He would express this to his trainers by putting his head on his cage or vocalizing loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he can understand and categorize objects in terms of their colors, shapes and materials. He could also tell the difference between the plastic bag and a wooden box, as well as measure and compare the quantities of different items. He even grasped the concept of zero, which humans usually do not grasp until they are about four years old! Alex's abilities were impressive because, unlike other parrots, he could understand what he said. He was able to utilize his more than 100-word vocabulary to describe, request and refuse objects as well as communicate the sizes and types of materials. He also demonstrated an ability to recognize analogies and recognize the written word form – although he did not seem to connect them with their spoken counterparts. Most parrots are taught words, but they don't understand the meaning behind them. Pepperberg and her assistants played out scenarios that included the object they wanted Alex to learn. This method is called the rival model and has become a popular method of teaching animals. In addition to his cognitive skills, Alex was a friendly and playful pet who loved to interact with his owners. He was often a mentor and cheerleader in the training sessions. He would encourage them or encourage them to be better. He was extremely observant, and he was able to discern the emotions of his human companions. He would leap into the arms of his owner when she was happy and hold her leg when she was sad or upset. What was the impact of Alex's actions? In his short life, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testimony to his strength of determination and character. He was a source of inspiration for many climbers, mountaineers and others who aspired to live life in their own way. He taught people that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. He believed that if you didn't worry about what others think of you, you can reach greatness. Chris/Alex faced many challenges during his journey. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial difficulties and hardship. He was capable of overcoming all these challenges through sheer determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountaineer. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountain climber. Even after his death Alex continues to inspire people around the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his amazing climbing accomplishments. This film has received much critical acclaim, and is regarded as one of the greatest documentaries ever produced. It has won numerous awards, including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues in the field of avian intelligence. Alex could sing more than 100 vocal labels for actions and objects, was able to count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrate math skills that were advanced for a bird at the time. He was also able communicate with other animals using sign language, and was able to comprehend grammar. He utilized a method of teaching called “rival model” which included two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers would change positions often so that the bird could be in a position to interact with both of them and receive praise and attention from each of them. After the success of Free Solo, Alex was awarded the status of National Hero by President Barack Obama in 2014. african grey parrots on sale was able achieve so much in his lifetime because of his determination to character and the desire to live life on his own terms.