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Alex, the parrot has died
Sep. 13th, 2007 08:55 amThis is very sad. He was one of the best examples that animals have abilities similar to humans.
"Dr Pepperberg's pioneering research resulted in Alex learning elements of English speech to identify 50 different objects, seven colours, five shapes, quantities up to and including six and a zero-like concept," said the foundation in a statement announcing his passing. "He used phrases such as 'I want X' and 'Wanna go Y', where X and Y were appropriate object and location labels. He acquired concepts of categories, bigger and smaller, same-different, and absence. Alex combined his labels to identify, request, refuse and categorise more than 100 different items, demonstrating a level and scope of cognitive abilities never expected in an avian species ... Her research with Alex shattered the generally held notion that parrots are only capable of mindless vocal mimicry."
Poor Alex.
"Dr Pepperberg's pioneering research resulted in Alex learning elements of English speech to identify 50 different objects, seven colours, five shapes, quantities up to and including six and a zero-like concept," said the foundation in a statement announcing his passing. "He used phrases such as 'I want X' and 'Wanna go Y', where X and Y were appropriate object and location labels. He acquired concepts of categories, bigger and smaller, same-different, and absence. Alex combined his labels to identify, request, refuse and categorise more than 100 different items, demonstrating a level and scope of cognitive abilities never expected in an avian species ... Her research with Alex shattered the generally held notion that parrots are only capable of mindless vocal mimicry."
Poor Alex.
