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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 She began a 30-year research project that changed how we perceive avian intelligence. Her study with Alex challenged the common belief that birds could only mimic human speech with any understanding of what it means. What is Alex? Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally just an African grey parrot that was purchased from a pet store. But over the course of his life, he set 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. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most famous talking birds around the world, appearing on television programs and scientific reports. Alex was able to recognize colors, shapes and materials as well as the quantities of objects. He also understood the meaning behind words a feat which was uncommon for birds. For example, when it came across the word “grape” it would be clear that it was a fruit and not an vegetable. This was due to the way that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and a colleague would role-play the role of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was rewarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object associated with the word. She also taught Alex the significance of words, instead of just the sounds. This was a groundbreaking method, as it is typically the case that pet parrots are taught words for their novelty value only. The owners don't mean what they say when they use a certain word. However with Alex, when he said an exact word, he was really meaning what he said. Some scientists believe that it is unfair to compare Alex to humans when it comes to intelligence. They argued that even though Alex could communicate, he was not able to use logical phrases like “if there is x, then there is y.” Alex's research into animal consciousness and intelligence is controversial. When he died in 2007 at 31 years of age, he was one of the most well-known talking parrots of all time. What was Alex like? Alex was an extremely violent member of a gang who was a fan of brutal actions. Despite his violent tendencies, Alex was a very likable character and seemed to enjoy the power he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life that was violence and classical music, specifically Beethoven, whose songs always brought images of blood and depravity for him. He also had a habit of drinking milk that was spiked with drugs, which his gangmates and he used to strengthen themselves for their “ultraviolence.” see here now as a parrot in an animal shop was not remarkable however, it served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able teach him concepts and words quickly. Her study of him for thirty years changed the way we think about animal cognition and communication. She acknowledges Alex for teaching her how to apply the model that was effective for other 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, where she continues her pioneering research with birds. As the youngest of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most adorable. She is a little kind of a tomboy, and has been described as extremely charming. She is the most animal-loving member of the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they are involved in meaningless squabbles (such as in “Abductions”). Alex has a very confident sense of self, which she uses to manipulate others. This has led to many disputes with other members of the gang, including her long-time adversaries Gigi Hollingsworth who she blames for spilling juice all over her blanket when she was in the midst of her childhood (“Mime World”). She also has an Emo/Goth personality 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 like in terms of intelligence? Alex, the African grey parrot Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, may have appeared to be just another pet. But over gizmo the grey parrot following 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by demonstrating that birds aren't just “rabbit brains.” When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an skilled and proficient talker. Alex could recognize and ask for objects, say their names and even classify them. He could also express his feelings, for instance, when he was feeling unhappy or dissatisfied during training sessions. He would let his trainers know this by placing his chin on the cage or by shouting loudly “I would like a banana.” Alex's intelligence is so advanced that he is able to understand and classify objects such as their colors, shapes, and materials. He could also discern the distinction between bags made of plastic and wooden box, and measure and compare the quantities of various items. He even grasped the concept of zero, which most people don't grasp until they are around four years old! What made Alex's abilities remarkable was the fact that unlike other parrots Alex was able to comprehend what was being said. Alex could utilize his more than 100 words to describe, request and reject objects, as well as convey the sizes and types of materials. He was able to understand the analogies and recognize written words, but did not seem capable of connecting them to their spoken forms. The majority of parrots learn to speak, but they don't comprehend their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants carried out scenarios that included the object they wanted Alex to learn. This method is called the rival model and has become a common method of teaching animals. In addition to his cognitive abilities, Alex was a friendly, playful companion who loved to interact with his owners. He was often an advisor and a cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage his owners or remind them to do better. He was also very attentive and could sense the emotions of his human companions. He would often leap into the arms of his owner when she was smiling and was a clinging to her leg when she was sad or upset. What was Alex's influence? In his short life, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is an example of his determination and the strength of his character. He was a role model for many mountain climbers, travelers, and others who were determined to live their lives on their terms. He taught them you can do anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that you can reach excellence if you don't think about what other people think. Chris/Alex faced many challenges throughout his journey. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial difficulties and even adversity. He was capable of overcoming all these obstacles by his sheer will and perseverance. He never gave up on his dream of becoming an accomplished mountain climber. He pushed on towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers in the world. Even after his passing, Alex continues to inspire people around the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his amazing climbing accomplishments. The film has received a lot of critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the most acclaimed documentaries ever produced. It has won many awards, including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. Alex Pepperberg was the first person to pioneer bird intelligence in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. He was able perform more than 100 vocal label for objects and actions. He was also able to count up to six sets of objects and showed math skills that were advanced in the day for birds. He could also communicate with other animals through signs and was able to comprehend a lot of grammar. He used an approach to training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to learn. The trainers would switch positions often so that the bird was able to interact with them both and receive attention and rewards 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 achieve so much in his lifetime due to his strength of character and his determination to live life on his terms.