The Alex Foundation

Exactly how smart is an African Grey Parrot? A good person to ask would be Dr. Irene Pepperberg, founder of The Alex Foundation at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Named for Alex, Dr. Pepperberg's first African Grey, the foundation focuses on researching the intelligence and reasoning abilities of these magnificent birds. According to the foundation, the goal of their research is to ultimately "improve the lives of parrots in captivity and preserve those in the wild." The website offers information on Dr. Pepperberg's publications and speaking events, biographies of Alex, Griffin, and Wart, the foundation's resident Greys, and insight into some of the remarkable findings that their work has turned up. Fly on over and check it out to learn all about these avian geniuses!

Photo of Titon, a Congo African Grey, 2006 Provided by Patricia Lowery and Marvette Hillis.