Alex the African Grey Parrot
When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and bought a haughty one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex and started a 30-year study that altered the way we think about the intelligence of birds. Her research with Alex challenged the common belief birds can only imitate human language without understanding the meaning.
What is Alex?
Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally just an African Grey Parrot Sanctuary grey parrot that was purchased from a pet store. But over the course of his life, he set trails in animal psychology that were far above anything that was thought to be possible. He also proved that animals can be as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Up until his death in 2007, Alex was one of the most famous talking birds around the world, appearing on TV shows and in scientific reports.
Alex was able recognize the shapes, colors and materials, as well as the quantities of objects. He was able to understand the meanings of words, which is a rare feat for birds. For instance, if you hear the word "grape" he would know that it was a fruit and not an vegetable. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a manner that helped him comprehend them. She and a colleague would role-play the role of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was awarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object that went with the word.
She also taught Alex the meanings of words, instead of just the sounds. This was a novel approach, as it is typically the situation that pet parrots are taught words for their novelty value only. When pet owners speak certain words they aren't necessarily meaning what they're saying. However, with Alex who spoke the word he was using, he truly meant what he was saying.
While many people are impressed by the fact that Alex could learn so much however, some scientists have argued that it is unfair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that although Alex could communicate, he wasn't proficient in using logic phrases like "if there is x, then there is y."
Alex's research into animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. He was one of the world's most famous talking parrots until his passing in 2007, at the age 31.
What was Alex like?
Alex was a violent group member who was fond of committing horrific acts of brutality. Despite his vicious tendencies, Alex was a very likable character, and seemed to relish the power he possessed over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life: violence and classical music, especially Beethoven who's music always evoked images of blood and depravity for him. He and his gang would drink milk that was laced with drugs in order to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's past as a parrot at a pet shop was not particularly impressive however, it was a great experience for him. Alex was quick to master concepts and words from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her research on him over the course of 30 years changed the theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She credited Alex for instructing her to employ the 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 an instructor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds.
As the youngest member of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most childlike. She is a little more of a tween and is described as extremely teasing. She is also the most avid animal fan in the group. She often acts as a peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into irrelevant disputes (such as in "Abductions").
Alex has a strong opinion of who she is and uses it to manipulate others. This has led to her getting into conflicts with other gang members, such as her longtime enemy Gigi, whom she blames for spilling a juice on her blanket as when she was a kid ("Mime World") She also has developed a Goth/Emo-style personality. She loves to wear black clothing and write eloquent poems about loss, love, and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The show's writers have mentioned that her favorite track is by Seth MacFarlane and she once had a relationship with him.
What was Alex like in terms of intelligence?
Alex Alex, the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, could have appeared to be just another pet. Alex revolutionized the research into animal psychology by showing that birds are more than just "rabbit minds."
When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an skilled and proficient talker. He could categorize and name objects, and identify them and ask for them. He could also express emotions, such as when he was dissatisfied or bored during training sessions. He would inform his trainers of this by putting his chin against his cage, or saying loudly "I want a banana."
Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he can understand and classify objects such as 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. 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 remarkable was that unlike other parrots he truly understood what was being said. He was able to use his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe the characteristics of objects, as well as communicate their sizes and materials. He was able comprehend the meaning of words and analogies, but did not seem able to connect them with their spoken form.
Parrots are taught a lot of words but don't comprehend the meaning behind these words. Pepperberg and her assistants carried out scenarios that involved the object they wished Alex to learn. This technique is known as the rival model and has become a popular method of teaching animals.
Alex was not just a cognitively gifted dog however, he was also a playful and affectionate dog who loved playing with his owners. He often served as an advisor and cheerleader during the training sessions, urging or encouraging them to perform better. He was also very attentive and was able to sense the emotions of his human companions. He would often leap into the arms of his owner when she was happy and would cling to her leg when sad or angry.
What was Alex's influence?
In his short lifetime, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his strength of determination and character. He was a source of inspiration for many travelers, mountain climbers and others who aspired to live life in their own way. He taught them you can accomplish anything if put your mind to it. He believed that if you don't focus on what others think about you, you can reach excellence.
In the course of his journey Chris/Alex was faced with numerous obstacles. He was confronted with the loss of his father and financial difficulties, as well as the adversity. He was able to conquer every obstacle with his determination and perseverance. He did not give up on his goal of becoming a mountain climber. He continued to strive for his goal, and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers around the globe.
Even after his death, Alex continues to inspire people around the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his incredible climbing achievements. The film has received a lot of praise from critics and is considered to be one of the top documentaries of all time. It has also received numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019.
Alex Pepperberg was the first to develop the field of avian intelligence, in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. Alex was able to perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions. He was also capable of counting up to six object sets and displayed math skills that were quite advanced at the time for a bird.
He was also able communicate with other animals by using a sign language, and was able to comprehend grammar. He used a training method called "rival model" which involved two trainers showing the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers often changed positions to allow the bird to interact with both and receive attention from each.
Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. Alex was able to achieve so much in his lifetime because of his strength of character and his desire to live life on his terms.