Alex and Me

[wibitywab]

I just bought the book, it's great! I read 62 pages yesterday, that is how good it was!!! Has anyone else read it??? I've been interested in Alex for years, so sad that he died so young for an AG!

 

[Echo]

I have read it and met Dr. Pepperberg a few times.....she is a great lady!!

 

[Atwee921]

I am a little more than half way through the book. Its great! My moms brothers friends mom used to work next to her. So my moms brothers friend has met her!

 

[Amber]

I have the book I read it while thinking about getting a parrot and it's one of my all time favourites. That's saying something because usually I'm not a fan of peoples real life stories. My little guy is named in tribute to Dr Pepperburgs Alex.

She seems like a great lady. I hope her research continues with Griffin and Wart for many years! Anyone thinking of getting a parrot should read the book, it really elaborates on their intelligence and what they are capable of and certainly changes the way you look at parrots.

 

[Nakiska]

After reading your post a week ago, I hurried and purchased a copy on evil-bay...should be waiting for me at the post office. Can't WAIT to read it! I'm always in the market for good summer reading material.

Maybe this book will give me ideas for other things I can teach our Chicken Little and Franklin as both of them are learning to talk and Chicken Little - especially - is developing quite a vocabulary!

Today he said for the first time "Him a pretty bird" ( instead of just pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty biiirrrrrdieee!) and "Hello, how are you."

Off to the post office to see if the book arrived

Toni

 

[Amber]

Maybe this book will give me ideas for other things I can teach our Chicken Little and Franklin as both of them are learning to talk and Chicken Little - especially - is developing quite a vocabulary!

I used some of Dr Pepperburg's methods (The model and rival technique) to teach my Alex what the word ball means, and what the word paper means. He can't talk, but if you say 'ball' he will grab his kitty ball. if you say 'paper' he will find the nearest bit of paper and tear some off for you. I think the most amazing thing about Pepperburg's work wasn't what she taught Alex to say, it's that she taught him the meaning of what he was saying. He didn't just repeat, he responded and knew what he was saying.

If I sat there saying "hello" to my Alex I could probably teach him the word. But it would have no meaning beyond getting praise from me to him. However if I use it in context with him I hope he will learn that it is a greeting, and not something to just be "parroted" back at me for food.

 

[Anna]

I have read this book several times. When I have another person on board with the idea I am totally going to try out the model/rival method on an IRN. I reckon my Shrek could learn so much with this method. She is a champion for all pet birds out there validating what all 'parrot people' already know about thier birds.

 

[kerry]

Yes, I read it in 2010.
It was sad that ALex died so young.
It is proof of how intelligent parrots are.
I think that all of us with parrots already know how intelligent they are but the book will help show it to non-parrot people.