For over 30 years, one gray parrot named Alex was the subject of research that continues to inspire debate about how animals think.
Alex was trained using a method in which he observed interactions between humans and learned to respond using spoken English words. Over time, he demonstrated the ability to identify over 50 objects, distinguish colors, shapes, and materials, and respond to questions involving quantities up to six or eight.
Some researchers have argued that his responses can be explained through associative learning rather than reasoning. Others consider his performance evidence of flexible cognitive processes.
One widely shared anecdote describes Alex asking “What color?” while looking at himself in a mirror. The moment was interpreted by some researchers as the only known example of an animal asking a spontaneous question, though interpretations vary.
Read more about the parrot who changed how people think about animal minds at our link in bio.
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