Alex the African Grey Parrot<br /><br />Irene Pepperberg, an animal psychologist, purchased Alex in 1977 from a pet store on the Northwest Side. She began a 30-year study that would alter our perception of the intelligence of avian species. Her work with him challenged the notion that birds could only mimic human speech without any understanding of the meaning.<br /><br />What is Alex?<br /><br />Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally an African grey parrot purchased from a pet shop. However, throughout his life, he blazed trails in animal psychology that were beyond anything previously thought possible, and he proved that animals can be as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Alex was one of the most talked about talking birds in the world, until his death in 2007. He was a regular on TV shows and in scientific reports.<br /><br />In his lifetime, Alex learned over 150 words and was able to recognize shapes, colors materials, as well as the quantities 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 vegetable but it was a fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a manner that made him comprehend them. She and a colleague would role-play the role of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. When he listened to the correct pronunciation and definition of the word, he was rewarded with the object that was associated with it.<br /><br />Another intriguing aspect of the way that she trained Alex was that she taught him the meaning behind words, not just the sounds. This was a novel approach, since pet parrots usually only learn words for their novelty. The owners don't care about what they say when they use a particular word. Alex however, on the other hand, was referring to exactly what he said when used a certain word.<br /><br />While many are awed by the fact that Alex could learn so much however, some scientists have argued that it is unfair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They have argued that while Alex was capable of communicating but he didn't have the ability to work with logic, such as "if there is x, then there must be y."<br /><br />Although this is still controversial but the fact remains that Alex set the foundation for research into animal intelligence and consciousness. Until his death in 2007 at 31 years old, he was among the most famous talking parrots in the history of the world.<br /><br /><br /><br />What was Alex like?<br /><br />Alex was an infamous bandit who loved to commit brutal acts of violence. Despite his violent tendencies Alex was a very likable character and seemed to enjoy the power that he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life: violence and classical music, especially Beethoven and his songs, which always evoked images of blood and depravity for him. He and his gang would drink milk laced with drugs to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."<br /><br />Alex's background as a parrot at an animal shop was not particularly impressive however, it served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her research on him over the course of 30 years revolutionized theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She is grateful to Alex with helping her learn how to apply the model that worked for other animals and children with learning disabilities.<br /><br />Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots as well, including Wart and Griffin. She is now an assistant professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering research with birds.<br /><br />As the youngest member of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most adorable. She's a bit of a tween and has been described by some as being a bit teasing. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they are involved in irrelevant fights (such as in "Abductions").<br /><br />Alex has an extremely strong sense of self that she uses to manipulate others. This has led her into numerous disputes with other members of the gang, including her long-time enemy Gigi Hollingsworth who she is blamed for spilling juice on her blanket when she was an infant ("Mime World"). She also has developed an Emo/Goth personality. She loves wearing black clothing and write eloquent poems about loss, love and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The writers of the show have stated that Seth MacFarlane's song is her top choice and that she was a lover of his.<br /><br />What was Alex's intelligence like?<br /><br />When Alex, an African grey parrot first entered the world of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's life in 1977, he could have seemed like just another pet. Alex revolutionized the research into animal psychology by showing that birds are more than just "rabbit minds."<br /><br />When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an skilled talker. He could identify and request objects, utter their names, and even categorize them. He could also express his emotions, for instance, when he was frustrated or annoyed during training sessions. He would express this to his trainers by putting his head against his cage or yelling loudly, "I want a banana."<br /><br />Alex's intelligence is so advanced that he is able to comprehend and classify objects, their colors, shapes and materials. He could also tell a distinction between a wooden box and a plastic bag, as well as count and compare the quantities of various items. He even grasped the concept of zero, which most people don't grasp until they are approximately four years old!<br /><br /><a href="https://charmingafricangreyparrotforsale.com/">charmingafricangreyparrotforsale.com</a> were impressive because unlike other parrots, Alex understood what he was saying. Alex could use his over 100 words to describe, ask and deny objects, as well as convey the sizes and materials. He was able to understand the analogies and recognize written words, but did not seem capable of connecting them to their spoken language.<br /><br />Parrots are the majority of birds that learn words, but do not comprehend their meaning. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would create scenarios involving the object they wanted him to learn about. This process is referred to as the rival model and it has since become an accepted method of teaching animals.<br /><br />In addition to his cognitive skills, Alex was a friendly, playful companion who enjoyed interacting with his owners. He was often an advisor and a cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage or admonish them to do better. He was extremely observant and could sense the emotions of his human friends. He would leap into the arms of his owner when she was happy, and hold her legs if she was sad or upset.<br /><br />What was Alex's influence like?<br /><br />In his short life, Alex changed the lives of a lot of people. His legacy is a testimony to his character and determination. He was an inspiration for many mountain climbers, travelers, and people who were determined to live their lives on their terms. He taught his students that you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. He believed that if you do not worry about what others think of you, you can achieve greatness.<br /><br />Chris/Alex had to face many obstacles throughout his journey. He was confronted with the loss of his dad, financial problems, and the adversity. He was able overcome all of these obstacles with his determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his ambition to become a professional mountain climber. He continued to strive for his goal and eventually became one of the most well-known mountain climbers around the globe.<br /><br />Even after his death he continues to inspire people all over the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his remarkable achievements in climbing. This film has received great critical acclaim and is considered one of the greatest documentaries ever made. It has also won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019.<br /><br />In addition to his work with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues in avian intelligence. Alex could sing more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions and could count objects up to six, and demonstrated math skills that were incredibly advanced for birds at the time.<br /><br />He was also able to communicate with other animals by using a sign language, and was able to comprehend grammar. He utilized an approach to training known as "rival model," which involved two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers would switch positions often so that the bird could be able to interact with both of them and receive praise and attention from each.<br /><br />Alex was named as 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 determination to character and his desire to live life to his own terms.<br /><br />