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Alex the African Grey Parrot When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and purchased a haughty one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex and started a 30-year study that changed the way we view the intelligence of birds. Her study with Alex challenged the notion that birds can only mimic human speech without any understanding of meaning. What is Alex? At first, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was a normal African grey parrot bought from a pet retailer. Through his lifetime, he broke new ground in animal psychology and proved that animals are as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds in the world until his death in 2007. He was a regular on TV shows and in scientific reports. Alex was able recognize colors, shapes and materials as well as the quantity of objects. Alex was able to comprehend the meanings of words, which is a feat that is rare for birds. When he heard the word “grape” and he realized that it was not a plant but an fruit. This was due to the method that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and an associate were able to play the roles of students and teachers, and Alex was watching the actions and listened to the explanations. He was rewarded for his correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object associated with the word. She also taught Alex the meanings of words, rather than just the sounds. This was a revolutionary method as pet parrots typically only learn words to enhance their novelty. When owners use certain words but they don't actually mean what they are saying. However, with Alex who spoke the word he was using, he truly meant what he was saying. While many are awed by the fact that Alex could acquire so many things however, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that even though Alex was capable of communicating however, he was not equipped with the ability to work with logical expressions like “if x, then y.” While this is still a subject of debate however, the fact is that Alex laid the groundwork for studies into the animal mind and consciousness. He was one of the most famous and well-known talking parrots until his death in 2007, at the age of 31. What was Alex's personality like? Alex was a violent member of a gang that was a fan of brutal acts. Despite his vicious tendencies, he was a very likeable character and seemed to enjoy the power that he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life which was violence and classical music, particularly Beethoven, whose songs always evoked images of blood and depravity to him. The group would drink milk laced with drugs to prepare themselves for “ultraviolence.” Alex's non-remarkable experience as an African Grey parrot at a pet store was a great help. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able teach him concepts and words quickly. Her thirty-year study on him changed the theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She acknowledges Alex for teaching her how to apply the model that worked for all animals and children with learning disabilities. After her collaboration with him Dr. Pepperberg went on to conduct studies with other parrots like Wart and Griffin. She is a professor now at the University of Washington, where she continues her pioneering research with birds. As the tiniest member of the group, Alex is perhaps the most adorable. She's a bit of an obnoxious girl, and has been described by other members as being a bit ticklish. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they are involved in unimportant disputes (such as in “Abductions”). Alex has a strong sense of her own self-worth that she uses as a tool to manipulate others. This has led her into many conflicts with other members of the gang, such as her long-time foe Gigi Hollingsworth who she is blamed for spilling juice on her blanket when she was in the midst of her childhood (“Mime World”). She also has developed an Emo/Goth-like personality and is fond of wearing black clothing and writing poetry about love and loss (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The show's creators have stated that Seth MacFarlane's song is her favorite and that she was a lover of his. What was Alex's intelligence like? When Alex, an African grey parrot, first entered the world of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's world in 1977, he might have seemed like just another pet. However, over the subsequent 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by demonstrating that birds aren't just “rabbit brains.” Alex was a seasoned talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time in a pet store. He could categorize and rename objects, as well as identify them and even ask for them. He could also express his emotions, like when he felt dissatisfied or bored during training sessions. He would tell his trainers this by placing his chin against his cage, or saying loudly “I would like a banana.” Alex's intelligence was so advanced that he was able to understand and even categorize objects and their shapes, colors, and materials. He was also able to tell the distinction between bags made of plastic and wooden box, and also determine the quantity of various items. In fact, he knew the concept of zero, something that humans don't usually grasp until around age four! What made Alex's skills so remarkable was that, unlike other parrots, Alex was able to comprehend what he was saying. Alex could utilize his more than 100 words to describe, request and reject objects as well as communicate the sizes and types of materials. He also demonstrated an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written word form – although it was not apparent that he could associate these with their spoken forms. The majority of parrots learn words, but don't understand their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants played out scenarios which involved the object they wanted Alex to master. This technique is referred to as the rival model and has become a well-known way to teach animals. Alex was not only an intelligent dog however, he was also a playful friend who loved playing with his owners. He was often an adviser and cheerleader during training sessions, encouraging or encouraging them to do better. He was very observant and could sense the emotions of his human companions. He would jump into his owner's arms when she was happy, and hold her legs if she was sad or upset. What was Alex's influence like? In his short time on earth, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his determination and character. He was a source of inspiration for many mountain climbers, travelers, and people who aspired to live life on their own terms. He taught them that they can do anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that if you didn't focus on what others think about your character, you will achieve excellence. Throughout his journey Chris/Alex was faced with a lot of challenges. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial problems, and adversity. He was able to conquer all of these obstacles with his sheer determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his goal of becoming a successful mountain climber. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountain climber. Even after his death, he continues to inspire people all over the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his amazing achievements in climbing. The film has received a lot of praise from critics and is regarded as one among the top documentaries of all time. It has been awarded numerous awards including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature. Gizmo newborn african grey parrot was the first to develop the field of avian intelligence, in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. He was able perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions. He was also capable of counting up to six sets of objects and displayed math skills that were considered advanced at the time for a bird. He also was able to communicate with other animals using a sign language, and also had a good grasp of grammar. He employed an approach to training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers demonstrating to the bird what they wanted to learn. The trainers would change places frequently so that the bird could be capable of interacting with both of them and receive rewards 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 in his lifetime due to his strength of character, and his determination to live his life on his terms.