The Birds
Since 1977, the Foundation's work has centered on a small number of African Grey parrots whose abilities reshaped how science thinks about animal minds. Meet the flock — past and present.
The most famous Grey parrot in history — 100+ vocal labels, counting to six, and a self-invented "zero-like" concept.
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A central figure in studies on inference, probabilistic reasoning, and self-control that rival young children.
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The lab's youngest learner, building her vocabulary and number concepts alongside Griffin.
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Also known as Wart — playful and talkative, with a favorite word: "tickle."
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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.
Kyaaro & Alo
For a brief time at the University of Arizona, Kyaaro and Alo participated in studies on the effects of altering our basic Model/Rival training technique. They then left to become companions to trusted human friends.