Tests Conducted on Talking Birds
God has granted to talking birds some extraordinary talents,
as revealed in studies conducted on African Grey parrots (
Psittacus
erithacus
) by Professor Irene Pepperberg.
In the course of their studies, Pepperberg and her colleagues
conducted simple but meaningful conversations with Alex rather
than repeating meaningless words or phrases over and over. One
person would ask—and the other answer—such questions as,
“What shape is the wood?” “How many?” and “What object is
blue?” The one asking the questions praised the other party for
correct answers. The same study was repeated using the same
model and content, but different categories. After these studies,
when Alex used the words appropriately, he was given the object
he asked for and told that he was “a good boy.” By this training
method, as already mentioned, Alex learned the names of more
The Miracle of Talking Birds
