Dr. Irene Pepperberg's research with captive African greys, most notably with a bird named Alex, has scientifically demonstrated that they possess the ability to associate simple human words with meanings, and to intelligently apply the abstract concepts of shape, colour, number, zero-sense, etc. According to Pepperberg and other ornithologists[SUP][who?][/SUP], they perform many cognitive tasks at the level of dolphins, chimpanzees, and even a human toddler [SUP][10][/SUP]Many pet Congo African Greys learn to speak slowly until their second or third year.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP] Timnehs are generally observed to start speaking earlier.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP]Both subspecies seem to have same ability and tendency to produce human speech, but vocal ability and proclivity may range widely among individual birds.
One notable African Grey is N'kisi, who in 2004 already was said to have a vocabulary of over 950 words and was noted for creative use of language,[SUP][11][/SUP] as had been Alex. For example, when Jane Goodall visited N'kisi in his New York home, he greeted her with "Got a chimp?" as he'd seen pictures of her with chimpanzees in Africa.[SUP][12][/SUP]
A study led by Dr. Dalila Bovet of Paris West University Nanterre La D
Actually parrots are known to be one of the most intelligent non-human species. Particularly, African Greys have been likened to have similar cognitive ability to toddlers.
[video=youtube;O_Fpad20Zbk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Fpad20Zbk[/video]
From wikipedia:
Yep!
I know Irene - talked with her a few times. Read the books on Alex and some articles on Griffin too. North America doesn't have any non-extinct native Parrots though, so Ravens and Crows are the closest we get!
Wow, you're really lucky! I've actually read a number of her books including "The Alex Studies" and she's somewhat of an inspiration to me
I've wanted an AG for a couple years now but unfortunately, it's almost impossible to import an exotic bird into Australia and so the only way to get one is to pay $6000 to a breeder![]()
I've always been the #1 advocate in adopting animals rather than breeding them specifically for us. Don't know your exact location, but is it possible to check this place out?
http://www.parrotrescuecentre.com/
The PRC receives many enquiries by adoptee's for exotic species such as Amazons, Macaws and African Greys. The reality is that such species have not become available for adoption in Australia due to their high demand in the general market place. We have found that the owners of these species will generally sell these parrots due to their market value. Please do not include these species on your application form.