Aw, fuck...Alex the African grey is dead. :(

[Ladyhawk]

I was researching language studies done on great apes, trying to learn a little more about the similarities and differences between gorillas, chimps, bonobos and humans and clicked on Alex's wiki page. I've followed Alex's "career" for about 21 years, ever since I acquired my handsome and well-loved Amazon parrot, Gabriel (Gabby).

When I was finishing up my teaching credential, I called Dr. Pepperberg and got her input on teaching autistic children using the model / rival method she used with Alex. Dr. Pepperberg was great to talk to and I wrote a kick-ass paper. Almost 20 years later, I have no idea where it is. It's a shame. :( Maybe someday I'll run across it.

I am going to sorely miss Alex. The world somehow seems less bright than it did yesterday.

http://www.alexfoundation.org/

For a kick-ass video starring Alan Alda, Alex and Dr. Pepperberg, go here: http://www.pbs.org/saf/1201/video/watchonline.htm

I'll give Gabby a nut for you, Alex.

:( :( :( :( :(

[pitohui]

1. what a loss

only the good die young seems to apply to the birds sometimes too

what a loss to science and to humanity, he taught us so much -- and a lot of it he taught just by being himself and interacting with people person to person

[Ladyhawk]

4. I only found out about it a few minutes ago. :(

At first it felt like I'd been blind-sided by a mack truck. Now I can't stop crying.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Dr. Pepperberg is taking the week off to grieve, but I'm writing her (and the rest of the staff) a letter of condolences.

[Mojorabbit]

2. We eulogized him

here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1758358
He inspired me to get my grey.

[Ladyhawk]

7. I used to breed African grey parrots.

I quit breeding for many reasons, but one of the main reasons was that the "failures" were so hard. Some of the babies ended up at less-than-desirable homes and met with preventable deaths. One of the final straws was the death of a little grey named Anakin. I'm a Star Wars fan and named a clutch of greys after Jacen, Jaina and Anakin in the extended universe.

A lot of young greys have a reddish tinge to their body feathers. Usually, these feathers turn a "normal" color after the first moult. Anakin's body feathers weren't reddish; they were purplish! He was beautiful and had a silly, playful attitude until nearly the moment he died.

The first vet diagnosed him, incorrectly, with aspiration pneumonia. The second vet diagnosed a heart defect. I knew Anakin was probably doomed, but I thought if I could get him past the weaning stage, he might have at least some good time. The problem is his body was rapidly outgrowing the capacity of his damaged heart. He had congestive heart failure. I kept taking him to the vet to drain excess fluid from around his lungs. In the meantime, I kept him in an incubator so his body wouldn't have to work at staying warm.

I arrived home after an errand with my nephew and the little grey stomped at us making "panting" sounds. If any of you have raised African greys, you know what I'm talking about. :) It's a happy, "let's play" sound of very young greys. Anakin was glad to see us. Just a half hour later he died in the vet's office, waiting for the fluid to be drained from his lungs.

When did this become a catharsis thread?

Sorry...this totally blind-sided me. I don't have TV, so I ran across this by chance...didn't know until just awhile ago.

I'll read the eulogy thread. Happy memories of Alex...and I have my Gabby right here, bless his heart.

[WinkyDink]

3. I'll never forget these 2 moments of Alex's:

1. He and another parrot were identifying the properties of various objects. The other parrot was having difficulty, and, after the one object was given to Alex finally, he said, in a DISTINCTLY disdainful tone: "Wood."

2. After being shown and "displayed" for a while, Alex, apparently tired, rather plaintively said, "Want to go back."

He was just the best little guy. {{{Alex and Dr. Pepperberg}}}

[elfin]

5. I hope he is "just resting"

ala the classic Monty Python routine.

Too bad if not.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I also intend to write them

as a mom to three kids, yep, I know

Speaking of the kids, might be time to go pay some attetnion to the sun

[Ladyhawk]

8. sun...as in conure?

I've got my Amazon right here.

I'm going to give him a few pistachios and appreciate the heck out of him.