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Alex the African Grey Parrot Irene Pepperberg, an animal psychologist, bought Alex in 1977 from a pet store on the Northwest Side. She began an investigation lasting 30 years that would change our perception of avian intelligence. Her research on Alex challenged the notion that birds can only imitate human language, but not understand the meaning. What is Alex? Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was initially an African grey parrot that was purchased at a pet store. Through his life, he broke new ground in the field of animal psychology and proved that animals are just as intelligent as primates or dolphins. Alex was one of the most talked about talking birds around the globe until his death in 2007. He appeared on TV shows and scientific reportages. Alex was able recognize the shapes, colors and materials as well as the quantity of objects. Alex was able to comprehend the meaning of words, which is a feat that is rare for birds. When he was able to hear “grape” it was clear that it was not a plant but an fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a way that helped him comprehend them. She and a colleague would role-play the role of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was rewarded for his correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object associated with the word. Another intriguing aspect of how she trained Alex was that she taught him the meanings behind words, not just the sounds. This was a novel approach because it's usually the case that pet parrots are taught words to be fun only. The owners don't really mean what they say when they use a certain word. However in the case of Alex, when he said the word he was using was a true statement of what he was saying. While many are awed by the fact that Alex could acquire so much however, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that even though Alex was able to communicate, he did not have the ability to use logic, such as “if you have x, then you have y.” Although this is still controversial, the fact remains that Alex set the stage for research into animal intelligence and consciousness. He was one of the world's most famous talking parrots up until his death in 2007 at the age of 31. What was Alex's personality like? Alex was an infamous group member who was fond of committing horrific acts of brutality. He was a likable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to be enjoying his power over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life which was violence and classical music, especially Beethoven who's music always evoked images of blood and depravity to him. The group would drink milk that was laced with drugs in order to prepare themselves for “ultraviolence.” Alex's background as a parrot at the pet shop was not exceptional but it served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able to teach him concepts and words quickly. Her research on him over the course of 30 years revolutionized theories of animal cognition, communication, and interaction. She was credited by Alex for instructing her to use the rival model that proved to be useful in other animals as well as children with learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots and parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is now an assistant professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering research on birds. Alex is the youngest of the group and the most childlike. She's a kind of a tomboy, and has been described as being extremely teasing. She is the most animal-loving member of the group. She is often the one who makes peace when Clover and Sam engage in a petty argument (such as “Abductions”) Alex has an extremely self-assured sense of identity, which she uses to manipulate others. This has led to her getting into conflicts with other members of the gang, 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 a Goth/Emo persona. She loves wearing black clothing and write eloquent poems about love, loss and life (“Boy Bands will be Boy Bands”). The show's creators have stated that Seth MacFarlane's track is her favorite and that she was a lover of his. What was Alex's intelligence? Alex Alex, the African grey parrot Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, may have appeared to be another pet. Alex revolutionized the field of animal psychological research by showing that birds are much more than “rabbit minds.” Alex was a seasoned talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time at a pet store. He could identify and request objects, name them and even categorize them. He could also express emotions, like when he was dissatisfied or bored during training sessions. He would tell his trainers this by placing his chin against his cage or by shouting loudly “I would like a banana.” Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he can understand and categorize objects, their colors, shapes and materials. He was also able to discern a distinction between a wooden box and a plastic bag, and count and compare the quantities of different items. In fact, he even understood the concept of zero, something that humans typically don't grasp until around age four! What made Alex's abilities impressive was that, unlike other parrots, Alex was able to comprehend what was being said. He could use his more than 100 words to describe, request and refuse objects as well as describe the sizes and types of materials. He even showed an ability to recognize analogies and recognize the written form of words, though it was not apparent that he could connect these with spoken counterparts. Most parrots are taught words however they don't know the meaning behind them. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would create scenarios involving the object they wanted him to know about. This method is called the rival model and has become a common method to teach animals. Alex was not only an intelligent dog however, he was also a playful friend who loved to play with his owners. He was often an adviser and cheerleader during training sessions, urging or admonishing them to do better. He was extremely observant, and he was able to discern the emotions of his human friends. He would often jump into his owner's arms when she was smiling and would cling to her leg when sad or upset. What was Alex's influence like? In his short time on earth, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his character and determination. He was an inspiration for a lot of mountain climbers, travelers, and others who wanted to live their lives on their terms. He taught people that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. He believed that if you don't focus on what others think about your character, you will achieve the heights of success. In the course of his journey Chris/Alex faced a lot of challenges. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial difficulties, and adversity. He was able overcome every obstacle with his sheer determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his ambition to become a professional mountain climber. site did not give up on his dream of becoming a mountain climber. 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 his amazing climbing accomplishments. This movie has received a lot of praise from critics 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. In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues in the field of avian intelligence. Alex was able to perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions, was able to count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrated math skills that were incredibly advanced for an avian at the time. He could also communicate with other animals through signs and had a solid understanding of grammar. He used the method of training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to learn. The trainers would change places frequently so that the bird could be able to interact with both of them and receive attention and rewards from each of them. 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 much during his lifetime because of his strength of character and determination to live his life on his terms.