Deanna Hoak

At least some of you who read here are into linguistics, and if you are, you’ll know of Alex the African Grey, who caused researchers to rethink their views on avian intelligence and language. I learned about him during my master’s coursework, and he remains the animal I’m most fascinated by.The most revealing quote I’ve heard of demonstrating his ability with language came about when he was being left at a vet’s for treatment and called out to his trainer, “Come here. I love you. I’m sorry. I want to go back.”

I somehow missed the news that he passed away last week at the young age of 31.

Scientific American ran a great article on Alex a few years ago, if you’d like to learn more.

It’s possible he was simply a genius parrot and that few other birds are capable of learning what he did, but damn he was amazing.