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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 started a 30-year study that changed the way we view avian intelligence. Her study with Alex challenged the common belief that birds only mimic human speech without any understanding of meaning. What is Alex? Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally an African grey parrot bought from 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 among the most famous talking bird around the globe until his death in 2007. He appeared on television shows and in scientific reports. Alex was able recognize colors, shapes and materials as well as the quantities of objects. He also understood the meaning behind words an ability that was not common for birds. When he was able to hear “grape”, he knew that it was not a vegetable, but a fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a way that made him comprehend the meaning of them. She and her assistant were able to play the roles of student and teacher, and Alex was watching the actions and took in the explanations. When he heard the correct pronunciation and meaning of the word the word, he was awarded the object that went along with it. Another fascinating aspect of how she trained 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 mean what they say when they use a particular word. Alex however, on the other hand, meant exactly what he said when used a particular word. Some scientists argue that it is unfair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that although Alex was capable of communicating, he did not have the ability to comprehend logic-based expressions such as “if there is x, then there must be y.” Alex's research into animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. Until his death in 2007 at 31 years of age, he was among the most famous talking parrots in history. What was Alex's personality like? Alex was an infamous member of a gang who was a fan of brutal actions. He was a likable character despite his violent tendencies and seemed to be enjoying his influence over fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's songs, in particular, always made 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 used to strengthen themselves for their “ultraviolence.” Alex's humble beginnings as an African Grey parrot at a pet store was a great help. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her thirty-year study on him changed the theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She credited Alex for instructing her to apply the model of competition that proved to be effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities. After her collaboration with him Dr. Pepperberg went on to study other parrots like Wart and Griffin. She is now an instructor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds. Alex is the tiniest member of the group and is the most playful. She is a little more of a tween and is described as extremely charming. She is also the biggest animal fan in 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 strong sense of her own self-worth that she uses to manipulate others. This has led to many conflicts with other members of the gang, such as her long-time foe Gigi Hollingsworth, whom she is blamed for spilling juice on her blanket when she was an infant (“Mime World”). She also has an Emo/Goth personality and enjoys wearing black clothing and writing poetry about loss and love (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The show's writers have cited that her most favorite song is by Seth MacFarlane and she once was a lover of his. What was Alex like in terms of intelligence? Alex is the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, could appear to be just another pet. However, over the following 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology, proving that birds are not just “rabbit brains.” Alex was a skilled talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time in an animal store. Alex could recognize and ask for objects, utter their names, and even categorize them. He could also communicate his emotions, such as when he was feeling bored or frustrated during training sessions. He would let this be known to his trainers by putting his head on his cage or vocalizing loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's brain was so sophisticated that he was able comprehend and even categorize objects and their colors, shapes, and materials. He could also tell the distinction between a plastic bag and a wooden box, and determine the quantity of different objects. He even understood the concept zero, which humans usually do not grasp until they are approximately four years old! What made Alex's abilities remarkable was that, unlike other parrots, he truly understood what he was saying. Alex could use his over 100-word vocabulary to describe request and refuse objects, as well as convey the dimensions and materials. He was able comprehend analogies and recognize written words however he was not able to connect them with their spoken forms. Most parrots are taught words however they don't know the significance behind these words. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would enact scenarios involving the object they wanted him to learn about. This technique is known as the rival model and has become a well-known method to teach animals. In addition to his brain abilities, Alex was a friendly and playful dog who loved to play with his owners. female african grey parrot was often an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage them or encourage them to be better. He was very observant and could sense the emotions of his human friends. He would jump into the arms of his owner when she was happy, and hold her leg if she was upset or sad. What was the impact of Alex's actions? In his short time on earth, Alex changed the lives of many people. His legacy is a testament to his strength of character and determination. He was an inspiration to many mountain climbers, travelers and those who wanted to live life in their own way. He taught them you can achieve 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 other people think. Chris/Alex was faced with many difficulties during his journey. He had to deal with the loss of his dad and financial difficulties, as well as difficulties. He was able to conquer all of these obstacles with his determination and perseverance. He did not give up on his goal of becoming a mountaineer. He continued to work towards his goal and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers around the globe. Even after his death he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his incredible achievements in climbing. The film has received lots of critical acclaim and is considered one of the top documentaries of all time. It has won many awards, including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues of avian intelligence. Alex was able to perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions. He was also able to count up to six sets of objects and displayed math skills that were quite advanced at the time for birds. He also was able to communicate with other animals using a sign language, and he had a solid grasp of grammar. He utilized a method of teaching called “rival model” which included two trainers who showed the bird what they were trying to teach it. The trainers would change their positions frequently so that the bird could be in a position to interact with both of them and receive praise and attention from each of them. Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. Alex was able accomplish so much during his lifetime due to his determination of character, as well as his desire to live his life according to his own terms.