Get More , an animal psychologist, bought Alex in 1977 from a pet store located on the Northwest Side. She began a 30-year study that would change our understanding of the intelligence of birds. Her research with Alex disproved the belief that birds could only imitate human language without understanding the meaning.
What is Alex?
Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally an African grey parrot purchased from a pet shop. However, over the course of his life, he set trails in animal psychology that were beyond what was previously thought to be possible, and he proved that animals are as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Alex was one the most well-known talking birds in the world until his death in 2007. He was a regular on TV programs and reports on science.
congo african grey parrot was able to recognize colors, shapes and materials, as well as the quantities of objects. He was able to understand the meanings of words which is a feat that is rare for birds. When he heard "grape" and he realized that it was not a plant but it was a fruit. This was due to the way that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She along with a colleague would take on the roles of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. He was awarded for correct pronunciation and definition with the object that was associated with the word.
Another intriguing aspect of the method she trained Alex was that she taught him the meanings behind words, rather than the sounds. This was a novel approach, since pet parrots usually only learn words for their novelty. When owners use an idiom, they don't really mean what they are saying. However with Alex when he spoke the word he was using, he was really meaning what he said.
Many people are enthralled by the fact that Alex could acquire so many things, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare him to humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that while Alex could communicate, he was not proficient in using logic expressions like "if x then y."
Although this is still a matter of debate, the fact remains that Alex set the stage for studies into the animal mind and consciousness. Until his death 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 vicious tendencies, Alex was a likable character and seemed to enjoy the power that he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's songs particularly, conjured up images of blood and depravity for 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 served him well. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her thirty-year study on him revolutionized theories of animal cognition, communication, and interaction. She acknowledged Alex for teaching her to apply the model of competition which proved effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities.
After her collaboration 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 and continues her pioneering research with birds.
Alex is the tiniest member of the group and the most childlike. She's a bit of a tomboy and has been described as being extremely charming. She is also the biggest animal lover in the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into unimportant squabbles (such as in "Abductions").
Alex has a strong sense of herself that she uses to manipulate other people. This has led to her getting into conflicts with other members of the gang, including her longtime enemy Gigi, whom she blames for spilling juice on her blanket as a child ("Mime World") She has also developed an Emo/Goth-like personality and loves dressing in black and writing deep poems about loss and love ("Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands"). The writers of the show have stated that Seth MacFarlane's song is her favorite and that she dated him.
What was Alex like in terms of intelligence?
Alex Alex, the African grey parrot Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, may have appeared to be another pet. However, over the next 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by showing that birds are not just "rabbit brains."
Alex was a seasoned talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time at an animal store. He could recognize and even 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 communicate this to his trainers by putting his head on his cage or yelling loudly, "I want a banana."
Alex's brain was so sophisticated that he was able understand and even categorize objects and their colors, shapes and materials. He was also able to tell the distinction between the plastic bag and a wooden box, and also measure and compare the quantities of different objects. In fact, he even knew the concept of zero, which humans typically don't comprehend until about the age of four!
What made Alex's skills so remarkable was that, unlike other parrots, Alex truly understood what he was saying. He was able to utilize his more than 100 words to describe, request and refuse objects, as well as convey the dimensions and materials. He was able to comprehend analogies and recognize written words however he was not to be able to connect them with their spoken form.
The majority of parrots are taught words, but they don't understand the meaning behind these words. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would enact scenarios involving the object they wanted him to learn about. This technique is known as the rival model and has become a well-known method of teaching animals.
Alex was not just a dog with a high cognitive capacity but also a fun friend who loved to play with his owners. He was often a mentor and cheerleader in the training sessions. He would encourage his owners or encourage them to be better. He was extremely observant and could sense the emotions of his human companions. He would often leap into the arms of his owner when she was happy, and clung to her leg when sad or angry.
What was the impact of Alex's actions?
In his short time on earth, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is an example of his perseverance and determination. He was an inspiration to many travelers, mountain climbers and those who wanted to live life in their own way. He taught them that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that if you do not focus on what others think about you, you can achieve greatness.
Chris/Alex had to face many obstacles during his journey. He was confronted with the loss of his father as well as financial issues and difficulties. He was successful in overcoming all these obstacles by his sheer will and perseverance. He never gave up his dream of becoming an accomplished mountain climber. He continued to work towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most famous mountain climbers in the world.
Even after his passing, he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his incredible achievements in climbing. This film has received much critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the most acclaimed documentaries ever produced. It has won numerous awards including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature.
In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also set the standard for new avenues in bird intelligence. Alex was able to sing more than 100 vocal label for objects and actions. He was also capable of counting up to six object sets and demonstrated math skills that were advanced at the time for birds.
He also could communicate with other animals using sign language and had a good understanding of grammar. He utilized a method of teaching called "rival model" which included two trainers who showed the bird what they were trying to teach it. Trainers would frequently change positions to allow the bird to interact with both and receive the attention of each.
Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. He was able to accomplish so much in his lifetime due to his strength of character and his determination to live life on his terms.