Famous African Grey Parrot Dies

Alex, the famous African grey parrot died of natural causes at the age of 31 years (1976-2007). Alex knew more than 100 words, could count to six, and recognized shapes and colors. The bird was owned and studied by scientist Irene Pepperberg. Denise Gellene, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer wrote:

 

Alex’s feats, which Pepperberg documented in dozens of scientific journals, challenged the notion that only apes and dolphins were smart enough to understand human language. Alex did not merely mimic words but showed that he grasped their meaning. …
Pepperberg, who was trained as a chemist, bought Alex from a pet shop in 1977, when the bird was a year old. Using a new technique, Pepperberg taught Alex to classify and group objects by their physical properties, such as their color or the material they were made of. When presented with a tray of objects, Alex could identify which were blue, metal or round. …
Alex’s exploits were featured on numerous science programs, including an episode of the PBS “Nature” series called “Look Who’s Talking”. In 1999, Pepperberg published her book, “The Alex Studies”, which described her decades of research. Some scientists have questioned whether Alex was as smart as he seemed. African grey parrots are very social birds and some scientists argued Alex was guessing the correct answer from subtle cues he picked up from his trainers, although it was clear he was capable of making many mental connections. …
When finished eating, he said “Cork”, asking for the cork that was used to clean his bill. When he got tired of sitting on a researcher’s shoulder, he squawked “Wanna go to the gym,” meaning he wanted to retreat to his exercise stand. His word for apple was “banerry,” a combination of banana, which has a similar taste, and cherry, a fruit he knew.
Alex had the intelligence of a 5-year-old and the communication skills of a 2-year-old, Pepperberg said, and he sometimes got balky or threw tantrums like a small child would. Alex often had to repeat an experiment 60 or 70 times so that the results could meet the standards of scientific proof. Sometimes, Alex got bored.
“He would take his beak and knock everything on the floor,” Pepperberg said. “He would have said “Enough already” if he could have.”
At other times, Alex would correct the other African grey parrots Pepperberg worked with in her lab, telling them to “talk better.”
Alex’s death was unexpected. The birds can live 60 or more years in captivity.
Pepperberg said Alex seemed fine Thursday evening, the last time she saw him. They went through their usual good-night routine. She told the bird she loved him and would see him the next day.
Alex answered, “You’ll be in tomorrow.”
Pepperberg said she had received requests from museums for Alex’s remains, but had been too sad about the parrot’s death to make a decision. …
Before he died, he was working on learning the numbers seven and eight, and sorting out optical illusions. … Pepperberg said the research would continue with her two younger African greys, but they were farther behind Alex.

Irene Pepperberg conducts her research at the Brandeis University and Harvard University. Edge website has a video available entitled That Damn Bird: A Talk with Irene Pepperberg.

There is also an Alex Foundation, named after the parrot.

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