Gawk! Alex is smarter than the average bird
29-year study reveals that parrots have impressive cognitive abilities
by Rachie Lewis
Features | 9/12/06
Posted online at 11:30 PM EST on 9/11/06
/ Last updated at 5:28 AM EST on 9/11/06
Alex is a celebrity. His accomplishments are detailed in numerous articles. He understands mathematics, uses polysyllabic words, loves posing for the camera and is an icon in his scientific field. His mental capacity stupefies those who watch him; he adores cashews and loves meeting new people. Alex is one of the most intelligent African Gray parrots in the world.
According to a recently completed 29-year-old study conducted by Prof. Irene Pepperberg (PSYC), African Gray parrots could have similar cognitive abilities as young children.
"They're about the same intelligence as a five-year-old child but their communication skills, at least as far as we've looked at in the lab, are only about that of a two-year-old," she told The World Today in July.
Her experiments involving Alex and other African Grays have tested a number of abilities: distinguishing between larger and smaller objects, identifying pairs, counting, determining absence, understanding object permanence, using mirrors and labeling objects.
"We give him tests that are very similar to those given to children," Pepperberg said in an interview with the Justice. "Because he can talk, he can answer direct questions like 'what color?', 'what shape?', 'how many green keys?'"
Recently, Alex has been participating in counting exercises. When inquired about one set of objects, Alex spontaneously responded, "none." Pepperberg said Alex learned of the concept of zero in an entirely different context. Independently, Alex transferred that knowledge to an unrelated situation.
Pepperberg said that there are several reasons why Alex's understanding of zero is significant.
"One: He initiated the trials himself. Two: Western civilizations did not really understand or use zero until about the sixteenth century," she said. "Alex's concept of zero is more primitive than that of an adult human, but it is comparable to that of a young child."
While conducting some of these activities with a different African Gray Parrot, Griffin, Pepperberg's lab manager Arlene Levin-Rowe placed different objects-like rings, corks and a toy truck-in front of "Grif," who was able to verbally identify the objects most of the time.
According to a recently completed 29-year-old study conducted by Prof. Irene Pepperberg (PSYC), African Gray parrots could have similar cognitive abilities as young children.
"They're about the same intelligence as a five-year-old child but their communication skills, at least as far as we've looked at in the lab, are only about that of a two-year-old," she told The World Today in July.
Her experiments involving Alex and other African Grays have tested a number of abilities: distinguishing between larger and smaller objects, identifying pairs, counting, determining absence, understanding object permanence, using mirrors and labeling objects.
"We give him tests that are very similar to those given to children," Pepperberg said in an interview with the Justice. "Because he can talk, he can answer direct questions like 'what color?', 'what shape?', 'how many green keys?'"
Recently, Alex has been participating in counting exercises. When inquired about one set of objects, Alex spontaneously responded, "none." Pepperberg said Alex learned of the concept of zero in an entirely different context. Independently, Alex transferred that knowledge to an unrelated situation.
Pepperberg said that there are several reasons why Alex's understanding of zero is significant.
"One: He initiated the trials himself. Two: Western civilizations did not really understand or use zero until about the sixteenth century," she said. "Alex's concept of zero is more primitive than that of an adult human, but it is comparable to that of a young child."
While conducting some of these activities with a different African Gray Parrot, Griffin, Pepperberg's lab manager Arlene Levin-Rowe placed different objects-like rings, corks and a toy truck-in front of "Grif," who was able to verbally identify the objects most of the time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joy Bowers
posted 12/01/08 @ 6:41 PM EST
How sad for everyone that Alex has passed away!! I first saw him on TV many years ago and could not believe how smart he was and how plainly he talked. (Continued…)
Joy Bowers
posted 12/01/08 @ 6:45 PM EST
How sad for everyone that Alex has passed away!! I first saw him on TV many years ago and could not believe how smart he was and how plainly he talked. (Continued…)
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