September 14, 2007
Alex the African Grey Parrot has Died
Sadly, Alex the African Grey Parrot passed away about a week ago at the age of 31. Since I named my first Quaker after Alex, it seems fitting to recognize his passing and celebrate his life. I remember first reading about Alex more than ten years ago. I was charmed and amazed at his human language skills. I even have several video tapes in my library about this very special African Grey.
A remembrance page has been set up if you would like to express your condolonces. And many newspapers around the globe have reported on Alex's death (See Bird Brain or Parrot Prodigy and Death of Gifted Parrot Stuns Scientists). I'm sure you can also visit any parrot forum on the Internet to witness an outpouring of sadness and respect for this very unique Grey.
Dr Pepperburg has stated that Alex never stopped learning. In one of the above articles, she relates how Alex made some new progress just last month. We have learned so much about our own parrots because of Alex. This was the first real research that showed parrots are able to go beyond simple mimicry and actually understand the human words that they learn to say. Alex the Grey will be deeply, deeply missed.
2 Comments on Alex the African Grey Parrot has Died »
September 19, 2007
Carol Kirsch @ 6:33 pm:
I'm so sorry to hear that Alex the Afician Gray Parrot has passed on. It saddens me to hear that ,he has been such a helf to everyone in learning about intelligence of these fine feather friends. I'm an extreme animal lover and bird lover and have many birds of my own and love everyone of them. I call them little people in birds suits that just look like birds,feathered children. It is so amazing how these birds (all parrots big and small) how intelligent and loving these birds are. Unconditional love they are all loving in their own special way. My birds and I are sadden by the loss of Alex, he was a great hero in my book and taught all of us humans just how loving and intelligent these fine feathered frinds really are iin life sadly missed by everyone Alex thank you for everything we will miss you and love you always Thank You Carol and all my own pet birdiesThese birds deserve way more credit then they are getting here in life.
October 23, 2007
Doe @ 4:36 pm:
Doe@4:34pm 10/23/2007 Yes {especially to Carol Kirsch}, I could not have said it better. You sound a lot like me. Alex is the reason I got my first parrot, a Red Lored Amazon, "Haji", 20 years ago. I was originally looking for an African Grey when I saw this little inteligent and inquisitive looking youngster{09/1987}. "Haji" passed a year ago {09/2006} and I was deastated. He was my little boy and I miss him dearly and think of him everyday. I was shocked to hear of Alex's passing and am also very sad. What a great example of one of God's magnificent creatures!!!doeb32615@yahoo.com Doe