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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 research with him challenged the notion that birds can only mimic human speech with any understanding of what it means. What is Alex? In the beginning, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was a normal African grey parrot that was purchased from the pet store. However, over the course of his life, he led trails in animal psychology that went beyond what was previously thought to be possible, and he proved that animals are as intelligent as primates or dolphins. Alex was among the most famous talking bird in the world until his death in 2007. He was a regular on TV programs and reports on science. In his life, Alex learned over 150 words and could recognize shapes, colors materials, and the sizes of objects. He was able comprehend the meanings of words, which is a rare feat for birds. When he was able to hear “grape” and he realized that it was not a vegetable but an fruit. This was due to the method that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and a colleague would role-play as students and teachers and Alex was able to observe the actions and took in the explanations. He was rewarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object that went with the word. She also taught Alex the meaning of words, rather than just the sounds. This was a novel approach, since pet parrots usually only learn words to enhance their novelty. When pet owners speak a particular word but they don't actually mean what they are saying. However with Alex, when he said a certain word, he truly meant what he was saying. While many people are impressed by the fact that Alex could learn so much but some scientists have said that it is unfair to compare him to humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that although Alex could communicate, he wasn't able to use logical phrases like “if you do x, then y.” Although this is still a matter of debate however, the fact is that Alex set the stage for studies into the animal mind and consciousness. Up until his death in 2007 at 31 years old, he was among the most well-known talking parrots in the history of the world. What was Alex's personality like? Alex was an extremely violent member of a gang who loved brutal acts. He was a likeable character despite his violent tendencies and seemed to relish the power he had over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life that was violence and classical music, especially Beethoven, whose songs always brought up images of blood and depravity for him. He also was a regular drinker of milk that was spiked with drugs, which the gang members and he would then use to fortify themselves for their “ultraviolence.” parrot for sale african grey as an African Grey parrot at a pet store served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer was able to teach him concepts and words quickly. Her thirty-year study of him changed the way we think about animal cognition and communication. She was credited by Alex for teaching her to use the rival model which proved to be effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots and parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is now a professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds. Alex is the tiniest member of the group and is the most childlike. She's a bit of a tomboy and has been described as extremely teasing. She is also the largest animal lover in the group. She often acts as a peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into unimportant squabbles (such as in “Abductions”). Alex has a strong opinion of her own self-worth and uses it as a tool to manipulate other people. This has led her into numerous disputes with other members of the gang, including her long-time adversaries Gigi Hollingsworth, who she blames for spilling juice on her blanket as an infant (“Mime World”). She also has an Emo/Goth persona and enjoys wearing black clothing and writing deep poems about loss and love (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The show's creators have said that Seth MacFarlane's track is her top choice and that she dated him. What was Alex's level of intelligence? Alex is the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, could appear to be just another pet. Alex revolutionized the research into animal psychology by proving that birds are much more than “rabbit minds.” When Irene Pepperberg first saw him in the pet store, Alex was already an accomplished talker. Alex could recognize and ask for objects, utter their names and even classify them. He could also express his emotions, for instance, when he was frustrated or frustrated during training sessions. He would let this be known to his trainers by placing his head against his cage or yelling loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he can understand and classify objects in terms of their colors, shapes and materials. He was also able to tell the distinction between a wooden 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 don't grasp until they are approximately four years old! What made Alex's abilities so remarkable was the fact that, unlike other parrots, Alex truly understood what he was saying. He could use his more than 100 words to describe, request and reject objects as well as communicate the sizes and materials. He even showed an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written form of words, though it was not apparent that he could associate these with their spoken forms. Most parrots are taught words, but they don't understand the significance behind the meaning behind them. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would enact scenarios involving the object they wanted him to know about. This process is referred to as the rival model and it has since become an established method of teaching animals. Alex was not only a cognitively gifted dog, but also a playful friend who loved to play with his owners. He often acted as an advisor and cheerleader during the training sessions, urging or encouraging them to do better. He was extremely observant and could sense the emotions of his human companions. He would leap into the arms of his owner when she was happy and then cling to her legs if she was sad or upset. What was Alex's influence? In his short life, Alex changed the lives of many people. His legacy is an example of his perseverance and the strength of his character. He was a role model for a lot of mountain climbers, travelers and people who wanted to live their lives on their terms. He taught them that they can do anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that you can achieve greatness if you don't worry about what other people think. Chris/Alex was faced with many difficulties during his journey. He was confronted with the loss of his father and financial difficulties, as well as the adversity. He was able overcome all of these obstacles with his sheer determination and perseverance. He did not give up on his goal of becoming a mountaineer. He pushed on towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most famous mountain climbers around the globe. Even after his passing, he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about Alex's life and amazing climbing accomplishments. This movie has received a lot of critical acclaim and is considered one among the top 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 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 demonstrated math skills that were considered advanced in the day for a bird. He also was able to communicate with other animals using sign language, and had a solid grasp of grammar. He utilized a method of teaching called “rival model” which involved two trainers showing the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers would often switch positions so that the bird could interact with both trainers 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 achieve so much in his lifetime because of his determination to character and the desire to live life on his terms.