Alex the African Grey Parrot
Irene Pepperberg, an animal psychologist, bought Alex in 1977 from a pet store located on the Northwest Side. She began an investigation lasting 30 years that would change our perception of the intelligence of birds. Her study with Alex challenged the notion that birds only mimic human speech, without any understanding of what it means.
What is Alex?
At first, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was just an ordinary African grey parrot bought from an animal retailer. However, over jako parrot for sale of his life, he set trails in animal psychology that went above anything that was thought to be possible, and he proved that animals can be as intelligent as primates or dolphins. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds around the world, appearing on television programs and scientific reports.
Alex was able to recognize the shapes, colors and materials as well as the quantity of objects. He also knew the meaning behind words an ability that was not common for birds. For instance, if you hear the word "grape" it would be clear that it was a fruit, not a vegetable. This was due to the way that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and her assistant would play the role of students and teachers and Alex was watching the actions and took in the explanations. He was rewarded for his correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object associated with the word.
Another fascinating aspect of the method she taught Alex was that she taught him the meaning behind words, not just the sounds. This was a novel approach in the sense that it is usually the situation that pet parrots are taught words to be fun only. When owners use a particular word but they don't actually mean what they are saying. Alex on contrary, said exactly what he said when he used a specific word.
While many people are impressed by the fact that Alex could learn so much, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare him to humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that while Alex was capable of communicating but he didn't have the ability to work with logical expressions like "if you have x, then you have y."
Alex's research on animal consciousness and intelligence is controversial. When he died in 2007 at 31 years old, he was among the most famous talking parrots of all time.
What was Alex like?
Alex was a violent member of a gang who enjoyed brutal actions. Despite his vicious tendencies, Alex was a very likable character, and seemed to relish the power that he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's music particularly, made images of depravity and blood for him. The group would drink milk that was laced with drugs to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's experience as a parrot at a pet shop was not exceptional however, it served him well. Alex was quick to master concepts and words from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her study of him for thirty years revolutionized the theories of animal cognition and communication. She credits Alex with helping her learn how to apply the model that worked for animals as well as children who had learning disabilities.
After her work with him, Dr. Pepperberg went on to study other parrots such as Wart and Griffin. She is a professor now at the University of Washington, where she continues her pioneering research with birds.
Alex is the youngest of the group, and also the most childlike. She is a little more of a tween and is described as very ticklish. She is the most animal-loving member of the group. She often acts as peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into meaningless fights (such as in "Abductions").
Alex has a strong opinion of who she is and uses it to manipulate other people. This has led her to get into fights with other gang members, including her long-time adversary Gigi who she blames for spilling juice on her blanket when she was when she was a kid ("Mime World") She also has developed an Emo/Goth personality and loves dressing in black and writing deep poems about loss and love ("Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands"). The show's writers have mentioned that her favorite song is by Seth MacFarlane and she once was a lover of his.
What was Alex like in terms of intelligence?
When Alex the African grey parrot, first entered the world of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's home in 1977, he might have been viewed as a mere pet. But over the following 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by demonstrating that birds are not just "rabbit brains."
Alex was a skilled talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time in a pet store. He could recognize and even request objects, say their names, and even categorize them. He could also express emotions such as when he was bored or annoyed during training sessions. He would let his trainers know this by putting his chin on his cage or by shouting loudly "I want banana."
Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he is able to understand and categorize objects in terms of their colors, shapes and materials. He was also able to tell the distinction between a plastic bag and a wooden box, as well as measure and compare the quantities of different items. He even grasped the concept of zero, something that humans typically do not grasp until they are about four years old!
What made Alex's abilities so remarkable was that, unlike other parrots, Alex truly understood what was being said. He was able to use his over 100-word vocabulary to describe request and reject objects, as well as convey the dimensions and materials. He also demonstrated an ability to recognize analogies and recognize the written form of words, though he didn't seem to connect these with spoken forms.
Parrots are the majority of birds that learn to speak, but they don't understand their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants carried out scenarios that involved the object they wished Alex to master. This technique is referred to as the rival model and has become a common method of teaching animals.
In addition to his brain abilities, Alex was a friendly and playful pet who enjoyed interacting with his owners. He was often an advisor and a cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage or admonish them to do better. He was extremely observant and was able to discern the emotions of his human friends. He would often leap into his owner's arms when she was happy and was a clinging to her leg when she was sad or upset.
What was Alex's impact like?
In his short lifetime, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testimony to his strength of determination and character. He was a role model for a lot of mountain climbers, travelers, and people who wanted to live their lives on their own terms. He taught them that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that you can attain the heights of success if you do not worry about what others think.
Through his life, Chris/Alex had to face many challenges. He had to deal with the loss of his father, financial hardships and even adversity. He was capable of overcoming all these challenges with his will and perseverance. He did not give up on his dream of becoming a mountaineer. He pushed on towards his goal and eventually became one of the most renowned mountaineers in the world.
Even after his death he continues to inspire people across the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his remarkable achievements in climbing. This movie has received lots of praise from critics and is considered one of the best documentaries of all time. It has won 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 bird intelligence. Alex could sing more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions and could count objects up to six, and demonstrate math skills that were incredibly advanced for an avian at the time.
He also was able to communicate with other animals using sign language, and also had a solid grasp of grammar. He utilized an approach to training known as "rival model," which involved two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers often changed positions so that the bird could interact with both and receive attention from both.
After the success of Free Solo, Alex was awarded the status of National Hero by President Barack Obama in 2014. Alex was able to accomplish many things throughout his life because of his strength of character, as well as his determination to live life according to his own terms.