In June of 1977, an African Grey Parrot from a Chicago pet store became the focus of Dr. Irene Pepperberg's newest research focus “to explore the depths of the avian mind.” (The Alex Foundation, September 13, 2007) Alex received his name in recognition of Dr. Pepperberg's new research project Avian Learning Experiment. No one could have imaged the impact the one-year-old African Grey would have on the avian world for the next thirty years. Alex the Parrot has flown over the Rainbow Bridge on September 6, 2007. Alex was thirty-one years old when he died, which is relatively young, for a healthy African Grey Parrot. Many African Grey Parrots live long into their fifties or later.
Trust, Love, and Communication
Initially the world believed African Grey Parrots mimicked words and sounds they heard in their surrounding environment. Thanks to one smart African Grey Parrot and one dedicated researcher Dr. Irene Pepperberg, the world now knows that African Grey Parrots are not simply a dumb animal. Alex proved that African Grey Parrots could learn cognitively within their environment through socialization with human. In addition, Dr. Pepperberg and Alex have shown that through basic trust and love, communication develops, their research is amazing and is documented in “The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots” by Dr. Irene Maxim Pepperberg. What we once thought only could happen between children and a parent has now happened between humans and birds.
Alex's Amazing Abilities
What is important is the context of the social interaction that Dr. Pepperberg has experienced with Alex throughout the years. She always treated Alex with respect and as the friend, he became from the moment she found him in Chicago. When Alex died he could count from zero to six, identify seven colors, five shapes, and fifty objects, same and different, carried on basic conversations in English and so much more. In reality, Alex did more than some adults can do today after years of schooling.
The Alex Foundation
You can learn more about this extraordinary African Grey Parrot and the wonderful work of Dr. Irene Pepperberg by visiting The Alex Foundation whose mission is “to improve the lives of parrots in captivity and preserve those in the wild.” The link provided here allows you to see Alex in action on an ABC News video. As Alex has demonstrated Greys are highly sensitive and inquisitive creatures who need stimulating environments, or are easily bored. At one point, in The Alex Studies, Dr. Pepperberg compares Alex “emotionally to a two year old and cognitively to a five year old.” Anyone who has lived with a Grey would be inclined to agree with Dr. Pepperberg. provided by The Weather Channel. Alex was a little Parrot with a big attitude, and he knew exactly how to get what he wanted, when he wanted it. The mission of the Alex Foundation is to make as many people as possible aware of what happens to Greys in the wild and in captivity, including intentional and unintentional abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Alex Flies Home 1977-2007
If you live with a Grey, reflect for a moment, and make sure you are not somehow neglecting or abusing your “Alex.” After all, you already know what an amazing journey loving an African Grey is even to the very end when our heart breaks as they leave us and fly over the Rainbow Bridge sooner than expected. Fly high and free Alex! (Alex the Parrot from 1977 to 2007)
Erika Lyn Smith - Erika Lyn Smith - is a Psych RN, who has completed the UMSL Medicolegal Death Investigator Training Course, and is finishing a BS in ...
