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Alex the African Grey Parrot When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and purchased an exuberant one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex, she started a 30-year study that changed the way we view the intelligence of birds. Alex's research challenged the notion that birds could only imitate human language, but not understand the meaning. What is Alex? In the beginning, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was just an ordinary African grey parrot bought from the pet store. Through his life, he forged new ground in animal psychology and proved that animals are just as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Alex was among the most talked about talking birds in the world until his death in 2007. He appeared on television shows and in scientific reports. In his entire life, Alex learned over 150 words and could recognize shapes, colors, materials, and quantities of objects. He was able to understand the meanings of words, which is a feat that is rare for birds. For example, when he heard the word “grape” he would know that it was a fruit and not an vegetable. This was due to the method that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and a colleague would role-play the roles of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was rewarded for his correct pronunciation and definition with the object associated with the word. She also taught Alex the meaning of words, instead of just the sounds. This was a revolutionary method as pet parrots typically only learn words for their novelty. The owners don't really mean what they say when they use a specific word. However in the case of Alex who spoke a certain word was a true statement of what he said. Some scientists argue that it is not fair to make comparisons between Alex with humans when it comes to intelligence. They have argued that even though Alex was capable of communicating however, he was not equipped with the ability to comprehend logic-based expressions such as “if there is x, then there must be y.” Alex's research on animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. Alex was one of the most famous and well-known talking parrots up until his death in 2007, at the age of 31. What was Alex's personality? Alex was a violent member of a gang who was a fan of brutal actions. Despite his violent tendencies, he was a very likeable character, and seemed to relish the power he possessed over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's music, in particular, always made images of blood and depravity for him. The gang would drink milk mixed with drugs to prepare themselves for “ultraviolence.” Alex's unremarkable background as an African Grey parrot at a pet store helped him immensely. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her study of him for thirty years revolutionized the theories of animal cognition and communication. jako parrot for sale was credited by Alex for instructing her to employ the model, which proved effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is now an instructor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering research with birds. As the tiniest member of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most adorable. She's a tomboy and has been described by others as being a bit teasing. She is also the largest animal lover in the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they are involved in unimportant fights (such as in “Abductions”). Alex has a strong sense of who she is, which she uses to manipulate others. This has led her into many disputes with other members of the gang, including her long-time adversaries Gigi Hollingsworth, who she is blamed for spilling juice on her blanket when she was a child (“Mime World”). She has also developed an Emo/Goth persona and is fond of dressing in black and writing poetry about love and loss (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The show's creators have stated that her top track is by Seth MacFarlane and she once had a relationship with him. What was Alex like in terms of intelligence? Alex is the African grey parrot Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, may have appeared to be 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 in the pet store. He was able to categorize and identify objects, as well as identify them and ask for them. He could also communicate his emotions, such as when he was dissatisfied or bored during training sessions. He would express this to his trainers by placing his head on the cage or shouting loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's intelligence was so advanced that he could understand and even categorize objects and their colors, shapes and materials. He could also tell the difference between bags made of plastic and wooden box, and also count and compare quantities of various items. He even understood the concept zero, which humans usually don't grasp until about four years old! Alex's abilities were remarkable because unlike other parrots, Alex understood what he was saying. He was able to use his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe the characteristics of objects, as well as convey their dimensions and materials. He even showed an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written form of words, though he did not seem to connect these with spoken versions. Parrots are the majority of birds that learn words, but do not comprehend their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants played out scenarios that included the object they wanted Alex to master. This method is known as the rival model, and it has since become an established method of teaching animals. Alex was not just a cognitively gifted dog but also a fun friend who loved to play with his owners. He was often an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions, encouraging or admonishing them to do better. He was extremely attentive, and he was able to discern the emotions of his human companions. He would jump into his owner's arms when she was happy, and cling to her leg when she was upset or sad. What was Alex's influence like? In his short life, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testimony to his determination and character. He was a source of inspiration for many mountain climbers, travelers and others who aspired to live life in their own way. He taught them that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that you can reach excellence if you don't think about what other people think. Through his life Chris/Alex was faced with many challenges. He had to face the loss of his father, financial difficulties and hardship. He was capable of overcoming all these obstacles by his sheer will and perseverance. He never gave up on his goal of becoming a mountain climber. He continued to work towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most famous mountain climbers in the world. Even after his passing, he continues to inspire people around the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his incredible climbing achievements. The film has received a lot of critical acclaim, and is considered one of the most acclaimed documentaries ever produced. It has been awarded numerous awards including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also set the standard for new avenues in bird intelligence. Alex could sing more than 100 vocal labels for actions and objects and was able to count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrate math skills that were quite advanced for an avian at the time. He also could communicate with other animals using signs and was able to comprehend a lot of grammar. He used the method of training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to teach it. Trainers would frequently change positions so that the bird could interact with them and receive attention from both. Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. Alex was able achieve so much in his lifetime due to his strength of character and the desire to live life to his own terms.