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Alex, The Brainy Parrot Who Knows About Zero

Roland Piquepaille writes "Alex is a 28-year-old grey parrot who lives in a lab at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., and can count, identify objects, shapes, colors and materials. And now, Alex has grasped the concept of zero, according to World Science. In fact, Alex can describe the absence of a numerical quantity on a tray containing colored cubes. When a color is missing, Alex consistently identified this 'zero quantity' by saying the label 'none.' You might think that this is just a parrot trick, but this research about 'bird intelligence' might also help autistic and other learning-disabled children 'who have trouble learning language and counting skills.' This overview contains other details, references and a picture of Alex counting his colored cubes."

2 of 435 comments (clear)

  1. My goldfish can count to zero by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Just watch this.

    Goldie, come over here. Tap, tap. Yes, that's right. No I don't have any food for you. But listen carefully. Do a triple backflip with 360 degree twist zero times. Go on...

    Yet again, it gets it right.

    I'll be honest though, once it failed to get it right.

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  2. Re:...but... by skinfitz · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    'Overrated'?? Talk about idiot moderators!