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The Leonard Lopate Show / November 03, 2008 / Alex the Parrot

Alex the Parrot

Monday, November 03, 2008

The African Grey parrot Alex mastered a vocabulary of more than 100 words and could answer questions about color, shapes and numbers. Scientist Irene Pepperberg worked with Alex for 30 years until his death in 2007; she talks about their deep bond in her new book Alex & Me.


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  • [1] Joanna from Brick, NJ November 03, 2008 - 01:11PM

    I'm continually amazed at the intelligence of avians. Very interesting interview. Thank you!
  • [2] Ro from SoHo November 03, 2008 - 01:16PM

    Alex looked to many parrot and other bird lovers as though he was an extremely depressed and disturbed bird, manifested by his self-mutilation. (Pulling out his feathers.)

    I also have seen films of Ms. Pepperberg slapping him, (he got out of the way fast), when she disapproved of his response.

    Her interview so far has not disabused me of the idea that she was at least a very unkind and inhumane 'keeper'.

    The fact that she with held from him any emotional bond for all those years is appalling given that he was such an intelligent being.

    I feel terribly sorry that she has other birds in her 'care'.
  • [3] The Truth from Atlanta/New York November 03, 2008 - 01:22PM

    RO if that is true it is truly sad.

    I feel sick.
  • [4] Angelyn from Pensacola, Fl November 03, 2008 - 03:47PM

    RO where is this video of Dr. Pepperberg slapping Alex? In her book she states the reason Alex and Griffin plucked was because of a 5 month seperation they had due to lack of a place to keep them (no lab space). She states she had to send them to live with some friends but drove a hour or so to see them everyday.


  • [5] Lewis Jaffe from Philadelphia, Pa. November 08, 2008 - 02:09PM

    This weeks posting on my blog is in memory of Alex

    Http://bookplatejunkie.blogspot.com

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