Alex the African Grey Parrot
Irene Pepperberg, an animal psychologist, purchased Alex in 1977 from a pet store on the Northwest Side. She began an investigation lasting 30 years that would alter our perception of the intelligence of avian species. Her work with him challenged the common belief that birds only mimic human speech without any understanding of meaning.
What is Alex?
In the beginning, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was just an ordinary African grey parrot purchased from an animal store. Over the course of his life, he forged new ground in the field of animal psychology and proved that animals are just as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Alex was among the most famous talking bird around the globe until his death in 2007. He appeared on TV programs and reports on science.
In his life, Alex learned over 150 words and could identify colors, shapes materials, as well as the quantities of objects. He was able to understand the meaning of words, which is an uncommon feat for birds. When he was able to hear "grape" and he realized that it was not a plant but it was a fruit. This was due to the method that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and a colleague would role-play the roles of student and teacher. Alex observed and listened. When he heard the correct pronunciation and meaning of the word, he was rewarded with the object associated with it.
She also taught Alex the meanings of words, not just the sounds. This was a revolutionary method because pet parrots generally only learn words to enhance their novelty. The owners don't care about what they say when they use a particular word. Alex, on the other hand, meant exactly what he said when he used a certain word.
Some scientists argue that it is not fair to compare Alex to humans when it comes to intelligence. They have argued that even though Alex was able to communicate but he didn't have the ability to comprehend logic-based expressions such as "if you have x, then you have y."
Although this is still a matter of debate but the fact remains that Alex set the foundation for studies into the animal mind and consciousness. Alex was among 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 a violent gang member who enjoyed committing gruesome acts of brutality. He was a likeable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to relish his influence over fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's songs, in particular, always brought up images of depravity and blood for him. The group would drink milk that was laced with drugs to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's experience as a parrot in the pet shop was not remarkable however, it served him well. Alex was quick to master words and concepts from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her research on him over the course of 30 years revolutionized theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She is grateful to Alex for teaching her how to use the model that was effective for all animals and children with learning disabilities.
After her work with him Dr. Pepperberg went on to study other parrots such as 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 is a little more of a tween and has been described as extremely teasing. She is also the most avid animal lover in the group. She is often the one who makes peace when Clover and Sam have arguments that aren't worth the effort (such as "Abductions")
Alex has a strong sense 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 foe Gigi who she blames for spilling a juice on her blanket as a child ("Mime World") She also has developed a Goth/Emo persona. She loves to wear black clothing and write eloquent poems about loss, love and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The show's creators have stated that Seth MacFarlane's song is her top choice and that she was a lover of his.
What was Alex's intelligence?
Alex Alex, the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, may have appeared to be another pet. But over the following 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by demonstrating that birds are not just "rabbit brains."
When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet store, Alex was already an accomplished talker. He could categorize and rename objects, as well as identify and request them. He could also express emotions such as when he was feeling bored or annoyed during training sessions. He would tell his trainers this by putting his chin on his cage or by shouting loudly "I want a banana."
Alex's intelligence was so advanced that he was able to understand and even categorize objects according to their shapes, colors, and materials. He could also tell the distinction between bags made of plastic and wooden box, as well as measure and compare the quantities of various items. In fact, he even was able to comprehend the concept of zero, which humans don't usually comprehend until about the age of four!
Alex's skills were impressive as, unlike other parrots Alex understood what he was saying. He was capable of using his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe requests, refuse, and objects, and also describe their dimensions and materials. He even showed an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written word form - although he didn't seem to associate these with their spoken forms.
Parrots are the majority of birds that learn to speak, but they don't comprehend their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants played out scenarios which involved the object they wanted Alex to master. This technique is known as the rival model and has become a popular method to teach animals.
Alex was not just an intelligent dog however, he was also a playful friend who loved playing with his owners. He often acted as an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions, urging or encouraging them to do better. He was also extremely observant and could sense the emotions of his human companions. He would often jump into the arms of his owner when she was smiling and clung to her legs when she was sad or upset.
What was Alex's influence like?
In his short time on earth, Alex changed the lives of many people. His legacy is a testimony to his strength of determination and character. He was a role model for a lot of mountain climbers, travelers, and people who were determined 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 you can achieve greatness if you don't worry about what other people think.
In the course of his journey Chris/Alex was faced with many challenges. He had to face the loss of his father, financial challenges and hardship. He was successful in overcoming all these challenges with his determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his goal of becoming a successful mountain climber. He continued to strive for his goal, and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers in the world.
Even after his death, Alex continues to inspire people across the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his amazing achievements in climbing. The film has received lots of critical acclaim, and is considered one of the best documentaries of all time. It has won many awards, including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature.
In addition to his work with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues in the field of avian intelligence. Alex was able to sing 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 considered advanced at the time for a bird.
He was also able to communicate with other animals by using a sign language, and he had a good grasp of grammar. He used a training method known as "rival model" which included two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to teach it. blue african grey parrot would change positions often so that the bird could be in a position to interact with them both 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 achieve many things in his lifetime due to his strength of character and his determination to live life on his own terms.