Alex, the Talking Parrot, Dead at 31

Alex the Talking Parrot has made headlines in the bird community for years. Made famous by his owner, researcher Irene Pepperberg, PhD., Alex was found dead on Sept. 6, 2007 at the age of 31. The talking parrot was found in the bottom of his cage. Alex had a physical 2 weeks ago and appeared healthy. They do not know why the parrot died.

Parrots are incredibly intelligent birds. In the 1970s, Pepperberg noticed that a lot of research into animal communication and intelligence was taking place. No one was studying avian creatures, or birds. Could they talk?

Alex the Talking Parrot has made headlines in the bird community for years. Made famous by his owner, researcher Irene Pepperberg, PhD., Alex was found dead on Sept. 6, 2007 at the age of 31. The talking parrot was found in the bottom of his cage. Alex had a physical 2 weeks ago and appeared healthy. They do not know why the parrot died.

Parrots are incredibly intelligent birds. In the 1970s, Pepperberg noticed that a lot of research into animal communication and intelligence was taking place. No one was studying avian creatures, or birds. Could they talk?

African Greys are known in the parrot community for their ability to talk. Pepperberg asked a pet store owner to “get any African Grey” to insure Alex was not specially chosen.

Named Alex, for the Avian Learning EXperiment, research was conducted at Brandeis University. Through their work together they made huge inroads into understanding the avian mind and communication.

Alex the Talking Parrot was featured in numerous PBS, USA Today, and many other papers and TV specials.

With a vocabulary of over 100 words, Alex could also, “identify 50 different object, 7 colors, 5 shapes, quantities up to and including 6 and a zero-like concept.”

Pepperberg said that the talking parrot had, “the emotional equivalent of a 2 year-old child and intellectual equivalent of a 5 year-old.” After working with him for 30 years, researchers are saddened by their loss. The average life expectancy for an African Grey parrot is 50 years.

Alex used the English language to communicate with people! He could tell people that he wanted to go somewhere or that he wanted something. The talking parrot understood basic concepts such as what bigger or smaller meant, and was able to classify objects correctly.

Together, Pepperberg and Alex shattered the concept that birds simply mimicked what they heard. Her research with Alex has led to changes in the way that people who have learning disabilities are taught.

It’s been reported that during their last conversation, Pepperberg put him in his cage for the evening, and the talking parrot replied, “Be Good, See You Tomorrow. I Love You.”

The Alex Foundation is a non-profit foundation and is accepting memorial contributions for Alex. Funds will be used to continue research.

Parrots can be wonderful companions. You can read more about why birds make great pets, and the reasons not to have a pet bird.

Sources:
http://www.alexfoundation.org/press_release.html