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Alex the African Grey Parrot Irene Pepperberg, an animal psychologist, purchased Alex in 1977 from a pet shop on the Northwest Side. She began a 30-year study that would change our perception of the intelligence of birds. Alex's research challenged the common belief birds could only mimic human language without understanding meaning. What is Alex? In the beginning, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was a normal African grey parrot that was purchased from an animal retailer. Over the course of his life, he forged new ground in animal psychology, and proved that animals are as intelligent as dolphins or primates. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds around the world, appearing on TV shows and scientific reports. In his entire life, Alex learned over 150 words and could identify shapes, colors materials, and the sizes of objects. Alex was able to comprehend the meaning of words, which is a rare feat 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 roles of student and teacher. Alex observed and listened. He was awarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object associated with the word. Another intriguing aspect of the method she taught Alex was that she taught him the meaning 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 really mean what they say when they use a particular word. However, with Alex who spoke a certain word, he truly meant what he said. Many people are enthralled by the fact that Alex was able to learn so much but some scientists have said that it was unfair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that although Alex was capable of communicating however, he was not equipped with the ability to work with logic-based expressions such as “if you have x, then you have y.” Find Out More into animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. He was one of the most famous and well-known talking parrots until his death in 2007, at the age of 31. What was Alex like? Alex was an infamous member of a gang who enjoyed brutal acts. He was a likeable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to enjoy his influence over fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's songs particularly brought up images of blood and depravity for him. He also was known to drink the milk that was spiked with drugs which the gang members and he would then use to prepare themselves for their “ultraviolence.” Alex's humble beginnings as an African Grey parrot at a pet store served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able teach him concepts and words quickly. Her study of him for thirty years revolutionized the theories of animal cognition and communication. She acknowledges Alex with teaching her how to use the model that worked for all animals and children who had learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots and parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is now an instructor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds. Alex is the tiniest of the group and is the most childlike. She is a little kind of a tomboy, and is described as extremely charming. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She is usually the one to make peace when Clover and Sam have arguments that aren't worth the effort (such as “Abductions”) Alex has a remarkably strong sense of self which she utilizes to manipulate other people. This has led her to get into conflict with other members of the gang, including her longtime foe Gigi who she blames for spilling a juice on her blanket when she was an infant (“Mime World”) She has also developed an Emo/Goth personality and loves dressing in black clothes and writing poems about loss and love (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The writers of the show have stated that Seth MacFarlane's track is her most favorite and that she has dated him. What was Alex like in terms of intelligence? When Alex, an African grey parrot first entered the world of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's home in 1977, he might be seen as just another pet. Alex revolutionized the field of animal psychological research by showing that birds are more than “rabbit minds.” When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an accomplished talker. He could categorize and name objects, as well as identify and request them. He could also communicate his emotions, such as when he felt dissatisfied or bored during training sessions. He would communicate this to his trainers by putting his head on his cage or yelling loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's brain was so sophisticated that he could comprehend and even categorize objects according to their shapes, colors, 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 various items. He even understood the concept zero, which most people do not grasp until they are approximately four years old! Alex's abilities were remarkable because, unlike other parrots, he could understand what he said. Alex could use his over 100-word vocabulary to describe, request and refuse objects, as well as convey the sizes and materials. He even exhibited an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written form of words, though he did not seem to connect these with spoken counterparts. Parrots are taught a lot of words however they don't know the meaning behind the meaning behind them. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would create scenarios involving the object they wanted him to learn about. This technique is referred to as the rival model and has since evolved into a common method of teaching animals. Alex was not only a dog with a high cognitive capacity, but also a playful and affectionate dog who loved playing with his owners. He was often an advisor and a cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage them or remind them to do better. He was extremely observant and was able to discern the emotions of his human companions. He would often jump into his owner's arms when she was happy, and would cling to her leg when she was sad or upset. What was Alex's influence like? In his short life, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his character and determination. He was a source of inspiration for many climbers, mountaineers, and people who aspired to live life in their own way. He taught his students that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that you can achieve excellence if you don't think about what other people think. Chris/Alex had to face many obstacles during his journey. He had to face the loss of his father, financial hardships, and adversity. He was able to overcome all of these challenges by his determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountaineer. He pushed on towards his goal and eventually became one of the most well-known mountain climbers around the globe. Even after his death, he continues to inspire people all over the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about Alex's life and amazing climbing accomplishments. This film has received lots of critical acclaim and is considered to be one of the top documentaries of all time. It has won numerous awards including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. Alex Pepperberg was the first to develop the field of avian intelligence, in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. Alex could sing more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions and could count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrate math skills that were incredibly 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 employed the method of training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers modeling to the bird what they wanted to teach it. Trainers would frequently change positions to allow the bird to interact with them and receive attention from each. Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. He was able to accomplish many things throughout his life due to his strength of character and the desire to live life to his own terms.