Cage & Aviary Birds June 8 2011

birdkeeping know-how

21

60 Do parrots understand?
Companion parrots
with dot Schwarz
doT SChwArZ looks at research undertaken by Dr Irene Pepperberg and her African grey, Alex, which claims that her parrot can do more than mimic and understands what he is saying

INTERVIEW

second

HAT did Alex teach us? researchers, and later Dr Irene Pepperberg, who this was used on the has conducted researched other greys that joined with African greys for 30 the lab works. years, writes: By 1999, Dr The subject of language has always been Pepperberg asserted that a contentious topic, scientific but also Alex could identify 50 emotionally. For both some scientists and different objects and laypersons, spoken language has long been recognise quantities up held sacrosanct as uniquely human. to six. Also that he could This could well be one of the reasons why distinguish seven colours Dr Pepperberg had such difficulty in getting and five shapes, and her work recognised in 1977. Her aims were understand the concepts ambitious she argued that her African grey of bigger, smaller, same, Alex would learn object labels, categories, and different, and lastly concepts and numbers. that he was learning over She claimed he would communicate with and under. a human and he would be able to do that in Alex could even add three years and he did. Each year brought correctly (to a limited more astounding progress. extent) the number of Dr Pepperberg affirms after hundreds objects on a tray. When and hundreds of hours watching, noting and he was tired of being listening to Alex he indeed knew what he tested, hed say: Wanna was saying. go back, meaning back During one training session, Alex to his cage. Hed request repeatedly asked for a nut a request that where he wanted to be Pepperberg refused, because work came taken by saying: Wanna dr pepperbergs book is packed full of original observations first. Finally, Alex looked at her and said go, protest if taken to a slowly: Want a nut. Nnn . . . uh . . . tuh. Dr different place, and sit correctly, but if there was no difference Pepperberg writes: I was stunned. It was as quietly when taken to his preferred spot. He between the objects, he said none, which if he were saying, Hey, stupid, do I have to was not trained to say where he wanted to meant that he understood the concept of spell it out for you? go, but picked it up from being asked where nothing or zero. Alex had leaped from phonemes to sound hed like to be taken. Sadly, in writing about how Alex lived, and out a complete word a major jump in the day-to-day workings of her lab, Dr cognitive processing. Perching near a Pepperberg had to confront fresh criticism nervous student, Alex repeatedly and an important question arose. Alex enquired whether she wanted a nut, showed the cognitive skills of a young child. wanted corn, or wanted water. He showed awareness of concepts such as Frustrated by the nos, he asked: Well, love. He could say sorry in the correct what do you want? Mimicry? I dont context. Was it justified to confine him for think so. years in a laboratory situation with no flight, In her book (cover pictured), Dr no fresh air, obliging him to answer questions Pepperberg tells many anecdotes of over and over again to produce statistical Alexs powers. I particularly liked this one results, although he could act ornery and in December 1980 when Kathy refuse to cooperate? Davidson, one of the laboratory students, Alex was a celebrity of world class. He When asked questions in the context of took Alex to the washroom, he noticed the died suddenly at 31 in 2007, but there are research testing, he gave the mirror for the first time. He cocked still critics who insist that 30 years as a correct answer approximately his head back and forth a few clipped experimental subject was too high a 80 per cent of the time. This times to get a fuller look, and price. Meanwhile, supporters of Dr suggests that parrots, like said: Whats that? Pepperberg, who continues her research with children, get bored. Kathy answered: Alexs wings were Sometimes, Alex purposely other greys, will remind critics that wed have Thats you, youre a clipped when he no inkling of parrot intelligence without Alexs answered the questions parrot. Alex looked some was young so he wrong, despite knowing the contribution. His last words to her were: You more and then said: What never learned how be good. I love you. correct answer. Alex also colour? Kathy replied: to fly showed some comprehension Grey. Youre a grey parrot, Dot Schwarz has kept parrots and parakeets of personal pronouns he used Alex. And thats how Alex for many years. different language when referring to learned the colour grey. himself or others, indicating a concept of I Alex was captive-bred, purchased from a resources and you. petshop at one year old. Although bought as Some of Alexs achievements have a laboratory research animal, the relationship The Alex Studies: Cognitive and altered our perceptions of what a bird brain is between Alex and Dr Pepperberg deepened. Communicative Abilities of Grey capable of. Next to infinity, one of the hardest She said: He became my colleague. Parrots I.M. Pepperberg (Harvard concepts to grasp is zero. In July 2005 Dr Dr Pepperberg has never claimed that University Press 1999.) Pepperberg reported that Alex understood Alex used language in a human fashion, but Alex and Me Irene Pepperberg the concept of zero. If asked the difference that he used the two-way communications (Harper Collins 2008.) between two objects, he can answered code developed between bird and

AT ONLY 56 years old, Grimsby enthusiast Chris Snell is a veteran of the budgerigar scene, having started in the hobby on his 10th birthday. One of his first birds was bit of a mystery package because it was yellow with brown wings, but he later ascertained that it was a lutino whose wings had been stained by creosote! Chris has an enviably consistent record of success, with numerous best-in-show awards and a host of specials from the BS club show the highlight coming at Doncaster Racecourse on November 3, 1984, when his young light green hen beat off the challenge of some 5,370 other birds to take top honour. The father-of-four, including one stepchild, says the memory of that triumph has fired his continuing ambition to succeed with his birds. Chris, who has also judged over the world, shows in partnership with his mother, Mary.

Chris Snell
WHATS YOUR OVERALL MANAGEMENT APPROACH? Nothing gives me greater joy than to see a nest-box full of chicks. I am sure birds breed better if they are happy and healthy, so I favourexpansive open-topped flights where they get plenty of exercise, plus the benefits of sunshine and rain. I am not overly concerned about the risk of droppings from wild birds. WHO HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCES IN YOUR LIFE? Undoubtedly my mother, Mary, who is now 86, and my late father, Arthur. In all aspects of life not just the fancy their support and encouragement always proved invaluable. ANY OTHER HEROES? I learned a huge amount from two great fanciers of the past Jack Fisher and Harry Bryan. Both were great budgie men who transformed the hobby. You never stop learning, and I have also benefited from the insights of Geoff Tuplin and fellow-members of Cleethorpes B&FBS. WHATS YOUR BEST BIRDKEEPING MEMORY? I was at home running water in the bath when I received the phone call from my dad that one of our birds had won top award at the BS club show. I am not normally emotional, but I was soovercome that I inadvertently climbed into the bath fully clothed! DO YOU HAVE ANY ALTERNATIVE HOBBY? Im an avid follower of Manchester United. DID YOU PLAY MUCH FOOTBALL IN YOUR YOUNGER DAYS? Up until I was 23 I played at a competitive level to a fairly high standard. I was a centre half. I gave up because other commitments not least budgies meant I didnt have time to attend twice-weekly training. WITH WHICH PERSON, FAMOUS OR OTHERWISE,WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE DINNER? Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is one of my idols because of his flair and attention to detail, I have no doubt he would also make a top-class fancier. If he was to take up the hobby when he retires, I would happily let him have a few of my birds to set him on his path. DO YOU READ ANY NATIONAL/LOCAL NEWSPAPER? I used to takeour local Grimsby Telegraph, but not anymore. IF YOU COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? I have never had any hankering to step back into yesteryear because I have always been happy to live in the present. I guess it would be interesting to re-experience the 1950s the decade when Istarted making my way in the world. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? I would give a lot away including a chunk to any organisation, home or overseas, that promotes the budgerigar hobby. Anyone taking up the hobby would get free cages and seed. If there was any money left, I would buy a lifelong Man Utd season ticket. WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WOULD YOU DO TO CHANGE THE FANCY? I would use every tool possible to promote the keeping of budgerigars. Increasingly, that means making greater use of electronic communications and social websites. I am a great fan of the new internet budgerigar forum. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE BIRD SHOW? The annual BS club show is a great event where the quality of the birds is invariably outstanding. IF YOU COULD KEEP AN ALTERNATIVE BIRD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Thats a tough one. It would be a choice between British, racing pigeons or homing budgies. I once met the Queen Mother and had an interesting chat with her about the homing budgies at Windsor. She was worried that they were being taken by sparrowhawks, but I sought to reassure herthatit was the weaker birds that were being taken and the fittest would survive. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WILD SPECIES? The bullfinch its a beautifulbird.

i was stunned. it was as if he was saying, hey, stupid, do i have to spell it out for you?

DID YOU KNOW?

NEXT WEEK:

All-rounder who aspired to owls then succeeded with hardbills of many species