On September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age thirty-one. His last words to his owner, Irene Pepperberg, were “You be good. I love you.”What would normally be a quiet, very private event was, in Alex’s case, headline news. Over the thirty years they had worked together, Alex and Irene had become famous—two pioneers who opened an unprecedented window into the … into the hidden yet vast world of animal minds. Alex’s brain was the size of a shelled walnut, and when Irene and Alex first met, birds were not believed to possess any potential for language, consciousness, or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Yet, over the years, Alex proved many things. He could add. He could sound out words. He understood concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none. He was capable of thought and intention. Together, Alex and Irene uncovered a startling reality: We live in a world populated by thinking, conscious creatures.
The fame that resulted was extraordinary. Yet there was a side to their relationship that never made the papers. They were emotionally connected to one another. They shared a deep bond far beyond science. Alex missed Irene when she was away. He was jealous when she paid attention to other parrots, or even people. He liked to show her who was boss. He loved to dance. He sometimes became bored by the repetition of his tests, and played jokes on her. Sometimes they sniped at each other. Yet nearly every day, they each said, “I love you.”
Alex and Irene stayed together through thick and thin—despite sneers from experts, extraordinary financial sacrifices, and a nomadic existence from one university to another. The story of their thirty-year adventure is equally a landmark of scientific achievement and of an unforgettable human-animal bond.
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enjoyable as I love birds
If you are an animal lover this is a must read. I had no idea how intelligent these birds are.
This is the true story of research that the author did on an African Gray Parrot named Alex. The project lasted 35 years until the early death of Alex. Together Irene and Alex with many student researchers proved that African Gray Parrots are fully capable of doing much more than just mimicking sounds. The book is very readable.
I would be interested in a vocabulary list and more of the methodology used in teaching Alex, and whether any other grey parrots have been able to duplicate the results claimed to have been achieved with Alex. It is a warming story, and if it is completely factual, an amazing proof that mankind be not without the companionship of other species.
This story is more about the author than the bird. I love African grey parrots and looked forward to learning more about them and their antics.
Bird brain indeed. Super audio book.
I cried like a baby, this woman really loved her parrot and was doing great scientific work. What a shame he died so young and unexpectedly.
Fascinating true story of language development between a parrot and its scientist/owner. A truly exceptional bird & an interesting read.
Great story about bond between Alex the bird and his owner who was studying the intelligence of birds. Lots of background explaining the methodology and science behind the research. Interesting, fast read, with a love story between bird and scientist. Sweet and heartwarming, and also informative!
Interesting and insightful into the capacity of animals’ minds and abilities, and human’s unwillingness to acknowledge them.
Loved every minute of it, wonderful story!
I’m a sucker for nonfictional animal stories and this one was so good. Besides the human animal affection connection it had a scientific story line which made it even better. It did require a Kleenex or 2.
Greatmemoir of the relationship, and the struggles of research.
For bird people–recognizance…
African Grey parrot fans will find this book fascinating and maybe learn a few additional ways to take care of and train their parrot. For other readers, it is merely informative.
I had read about a parrot who was extremely jealous of it’s owner and wondered if this was possible , but after reading the detailed investigation of Alex, I totally believe that these birds are incredible. I’m sad to say that I’m too old to entertain the possibility of sharing my life with one.
As a former African Grey owner, this book enthralled me. I have followed Alex for some years. They are marvelous birds.
This was a very interesting topic to explore but the book was not very well written. Too much time spent on the difficulty of finding funding versus the actual concept of a (very smart) bird learning language.
Bird research is simply amazing.
Excellent read. Fascinating study of Alex and his abilities.