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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 obnoxious one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex and began a 30-year research project that changed the way we view the intelligence of birds. Her research on Alex challenged the common belief birds could only mimic human language without understanding the meaning. What is Alex? Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally an African grey parrot purchased from a pet shop. Through his life, he broke new ground in animal psychology, and proved that animals are as intelligent as primates or dolphins. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most famous talking birds in the world, appearing on TV shows and in scientific reports. Alex was able to recognize colors, shapes and materials as well as the sizes of objects. Alex was able to comprehend the meanings of words which is a rare feat for birds. For example, when he heard the word “grape” he would know that it was a fruit and not an vegetable. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a way that made him comprehend them. She along with a colleague would take on the roles of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was rewarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object that was associated with the word. Another intriguing aspect of the way that she taught Alex was that she taught him the meanings behind words rather than just the sounds. This was a revolutionary method as pet parrots typically only learn words for their novelty. The owners don't care about what they say when they use a specific word. Alex on the other hand, meant exactly what he said when he used a certain word. Some scientists believe it is unfair to make comparisons between Alex to humans when it comes to intelligence. They have argued that while Alex was able to communicate however, he was not equipped with the ability to work with logic-based expressions such as “if there is x, then there must be y.” Alex's work on animal consciousness and intelligence is controversial. When he died in 2007 at 31 years old, he was among the most well-known talking parrots of all time. What was Alex's personality? Alex was an infamous gang member who enjoyed committing gruesome acts of brutality. He was a likeable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to be enjoying his influence over fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's songs particularly conjured up images of blood and depravity for him. He also was known to drink milk that was spiked with drugs, which his gangmates and he would then use to fortify themselves for their “ultraviolence.” Alex's past as a parrot in the pet shop was not remarkable, but it served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able teach him words and concepts quickly. Her research on him over the course of 30 years revolutionized theories of animal cognition, communication, and interaction. She acknowledges Alex with teaching her how to apply the model that worked for all 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 a professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds. As the youngest of the group, Alex is perhaps the most innocent. She is a little bit of a tomboy and is described as extremely charming. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into unimportant disputes (such as in “Abductions”). Alex has a strong opinion of herself, which she uses as a tool to manipulate other people. This has led to her getting into fights with other members of the gang, including her longtime enemy Gigi, whom she blames for spilling juice on her blanket as an infant (“Mime World”) She also has developed a Goth/Emo persona. She loves wearing black clothes and write deep poems about love, loss and life (“Boy Bands will be Boy Bands”). The show's creators have stated that her top song is by Seth MacFarlane and she once was a lover of his. What was Alex like in terms of intelligence? When Alex was an African grey parrot, first came into animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's world in 1977, he could have been viewed as a mere pet. But over the following 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by showing that birds aren't just “rabbit brains.” Alex was a skilled talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time in an animal store. He could identify and request objects, name them and even categorize them. He could also express his feelings, such as when he was frustrated or frustrated during training sessions. He would let this be known to his trainers by putting his head against his cage or vocalizing loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he is able to comprehend and classify objects, their colors, shapes and materials. He was also able to discern a difference between a wood box and a plastic bag, as well as count and compare the quantities of different items. He even grasped the concept of zero, which humans usually don't grasp until they are around four years old! What made Alex's abilities remarkable was the fact that, unlike other parrots, he truly understood what was being said. He could use his more than 100-word vocabulary to describe, ask and deny objects as well as describe the sizes and materials. He was able to understand analogies and recognize written words but was not capable of connecting them to their spoken language. Parrots are the majority of birds that learn words, but don't comprehend their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants acted out scenarios that involved the object they wished Alex to master. This method is called the rival model and has become a well-known way to teach animals. In addition to his brain skills, Alex was a friendly and playful pet who enjoyed interacting with his owners. He often served as an adviser and cheerleader during training sessions, encouraging or admonishing them to do better. He was also very attentive and was able to recognize the emotions of his human companions. He would often leap into his owner's arms when she was smiling and clung to her leg when sad or upset. What was Alex's impact on the world? In his short time on earth, Alex changed the lives of many people. His legacy is a testament to his strength of character and determination. He was an inspiration to many mountain climbers, travelers, and people who aspired to live life on their own terms. He taught them that they can accomplish anything if put your mind to it. caring for an grey parrot believed that if you didn't care what others think of you, you can reach the heights of success. Throughout his journey Chris/Alex was faced with numerous obstacles. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial difficulties and hardship. He was able to overcome all of these obstacles by his sheer determination and determination. He never gave up his dream of becoming an accomplished mountain climber. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountain climber. Even after his death, he continues inspiring people around the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his remarkable climbing accomplishments. The film has received a lot of critical acclaim and is considered one of the most acclaimed documentaries ever made. It has been awarded numerous awards including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. In addition to his work with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues of the field of avian intelligence. Alex was able to sing more than 100 vocal label for objects and actions. He was also capable of counting up to six object sets and showed math skills that were considered advanced in the time for birds. He also could communicate with other animals through signs and had a solid understanding of grammar. He used a training method called “rival model” which included two trainers who showed the bird what they were trying to teach it. The trainers would often switch positions so that the bird could interact with both trainers and receive 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 many things throughout his life because of his strength of character and desire to live his life to the fullest.