The bird who changed how we think about birdbrains.
For decades, Dr. Irene Pepperberg's work with Grey parrots — beginning with Alex — has reshaped our understanding of nonhuman intelligence. The Alex Foundation funds that research, entirely through the generosity of supporters like you.
Our Mission
To support research that expands what we know about the cognitive and communicative abilities of parrots as intelligent beings — and to use those findings to improve the lives of all parrots worldwide.
Via Dr. Pepperberg's pioneering methods, Alex learned to use over one hundred English labels for objects, shapes, colors and materials, performed simple math, and grasped concepts of "none," "same/different," and "bigger-smaller." Grey parrots even perceive optical illusions as humans do. This work encourages responsible ownership, conservation in the wild, and better veterinary care.
The Birds
The most famous Grey parrot in history. Over 100 vocal labels, counting to six, and a self-invented "zero-like" concept.
Featured in studies on inference, probabilistic reasoning, and self-control that rival those of young children.
The lab's youngest learner, who built her vocabulary and number concepts alongside Griffin.
Also known as Wart, he contributed to the foundation's comparative cognition studies.
Pepper & Franco
Two Grey parrots who work alongside the Foundation's research programme, each with a long history of learning, performing, and surprising the people around them.
Pepper
Pepper hatched on December 25, 1995, at a parrot sanctuary in Hawaii and was adopted shortly thereafter. She has either lived in or traveled through 45 states so far. She has always enjoyed learning and interacting, and she was featured on Animal Planet's Pet Star with Mario Lopez in 2004. Pepper is a charming sweetheart who is drawn to confident people, and she seems to love the challenges presented by being a research assistant for The Alex Foundation.
Franco
Franco hatched in January of 2001. He was adopted through The Phoenix Landing Foundation at the age of 7 after his first person could no longer care for him. In a shared role with Pepper he played Meep on Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl. Franco has an astonishing vocabulary, which he uses contextually in ever-surprising ways. He is especially drawn to kids, and he has an innate need to take care of every baby he sees — whether they are human or animal. Like Pepper, he seems to find being a research assistant for The Alex Foundation highly enriching.
Decades of discovery in avian cognition
Dr. Pepperberg's research is cited across articles, films and discussions on animal cognition, conservation and welfare. Browse the full bibliography, from foundational studies to recent work on inference and animal–computer interfaces.
Read the research & papers →From the Gift Shop
Latest News
45th Anniversary of the Lab!
Reflections from Dr. Pepperberg June 15th marked a very special day this year…the 45th anniversary of the start of my work with Alex! The world of avian behavior was very different then: No one believed that birds were intelligent, particularly given their tiny...
Spring Fundraiser Update
Fundraiser update! We have now raised almost $6,500! Thanks to an anonymous donor, should we raise $10,000 they will match up to $20,000! See our donation page to donate.
And the ornament raffle winner is…
LEIGH ANN HARTSFIELD!!! Thanks SO much to everyone who entered, and happy holidays to all those who celebrate!
This research runs entirely on private donations.
Your tax-deductible gift directly funds the care of the birds and the science that gives all parrots a louder voice. Supporters like you keep the lab's lights on.