Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird

Spinner’s engaging and accessible account of Irene Pepperberg’s groundbreaking animal communication studies begins in 1977 when the scientist acquires her first subject: an African grey parrot she names Alex (an acronym for "Avian Learning Experiment"). A lifelong bird lover, Irene "knew from her many parakeet pets just how intelligent birds could be. As a scientist, she wanted to prove it." With a lot of patience and hard work, she successfully teaches Alex language skills beyond the usual Polly-want-a-cracker mimicry. Spinner explains Irene’s methods clearly and dynamically. The text (unfortunately undocumented) also touches on the importance of Pepperberg’s research within the context of other animal language projects, such as those conducted with Koko the gorilla, and in contrast to pseudo-scientific ones (e.g., horse Clever Hans’s supposed ability to count). While Alex’s cognitive skills -- said to rival those of three- and four-year-old children -- are impressive, readers will most enjoy his displays of personality. He could be affectionate, playful, demanding, competitive, and jealous (especially when younger bird Griffin is brought into the lab). So’s striking mixed-media illustrations, with their agile, confident lines and splashes of tropical color against white backgrounds, further enliven Spinner’s detailed descriptions. Since Alex’s death in 2007 there have been other African greys that have proven their smarts. Still, Alex was the first and, with his charisma and quirks, a truly extraordinary guy. christine m. heppermann

In her groundbreaking studies with African grey parrot Alex (acronym for "Avian Learning Experiment"), Irene Pepperberg successfully teaches him language skills beyond the usual mimicry. Spinner explains methods clearly and dynamically, but readers will most enjoy displays of Alex's personality. So's mixed-media illustrations, with their agile lines and splashes of tropical color against white backgrounds, further enliven the text's details.