have you read...

[rayray]

I am sure this is a silly question to be asking here on BB.
But have you read Alex and Me?
I just got finished with it. Took me all of 4 hours, it was that good.
I have had a new found vision of how to work with my macaw. Now I know that Alex was special. But just to know that communication that deep is possible is quite thrilling. I highly recommend it. It was my first read as far as bird books go. (I have inherited a neglected B+G and she has been here 3 months)

I am glad something drew me to this book, rather then the usual bird tricks and you books. This was about developing communication.

I cant wait to see the look on my girlfriends face when I ask her to tell me what color a square is for a walnut. He he

[magdalena]

I love some of the modes for training that Irene Pepperberg started. I have my grey give me kisses or do target training with her in front of my U2 and he catches on really fast for example. To be honest I was really sad after seeing some videos of Alex being trained though. Because he knew what things were he would ask to go back (to his cage) and whoever was handling him wouldn't let him they kept making him do color after shape after matter. He would be begging, it seemed that he was more like a lab rat than a loved flock member (he even lived in the lab I think?). Now I obviously don't know what he spent all of his time doing and I am not trying to judge but that just feels wrong to me.

Still yes I agree the communication teaching is solid and eye opening.

[kablammy]

I loved that book.

[loyallyroyal]

I felt bad for Alex too, I dont think he was ever loved like our babies are. More of a science experiment. Yes he lived in a little cage with no toys in a lab. What a sad life, never held, cuddled or loved, and never got to be part of a family.

[Freedomoflight]

I thought it was a great book. It showed the bond that Irene and Alex had. Actually to the last poster he lived in a lab, surrounded by people and interaction daily, with the best food and toys available to him. Please lets keep this on the subject of the book and not about whether or not he was 'loved'.

[rayray]

Irene did have quite the emotional bond with the bird, you can tell by reading, and all the moves she made with the interest of still being able to work with him.

I wonder how much he did, that she couldnt scientifally prove - as they werent dont during experiments - making her observations worthless from a scientific standpoint.

[angelicarboreals]

To sort of answer your question rayray, yes there were certain things that Alex learned to say or do that were astounding, although she could not use them in a scientific paper. The point in the book where she talks about being mad and storming into the lab only for Alex to say "What's a matter? Calm down." comes to mind. I loved the book and I think that while Alex may not have always been happy "going to school" (which kid is?) he was very well loved and given tons of attention.

As a side note, I did a presentation on Alex this week in my ethology class (I wish I could have taped it) and the undergrads loved the 'ban-erry' story.

[Monica]

I heard about the apple in another book!!!! Quite smart!

I haven't read the book but I would like to!

[Lori~D]

Alex was a plucker. I wish someone would be able to make some breakthroughs there. I liked the talking thing about birds learning by competition. I have not read the book but intend to *clicks on Amazon now*. I asked a friend one time who has a senegal that doesnt talk. I asked him (since I know he lives alone) if he talked much at home. And he said after careful consideration that he did not, talk out loud to himself or the bird or on the phone). Interesting thoughts about talking in birds I learned from Irene and Alex. So if you have a bird that doesnt talk should you look at talking to others in front of it rather than talking TO the bird?

[Lori~D]

could we start a book swap on here??? post our "haves" and "wants"??? to swap