I read on CNN today that Alex the parrot died last week. I could have sworn I posted something about him previously, along the lines of being able to pass a test designed for 7 year olds or something to that effect, but I can't find it now. After seeing my cousin spend her summers observing osprey and her own parrot following her around the house, it's pretty obvious that (some) birds are a lot smarter than we generally give them credit for. My condolences to Dr. Pepperberg on losing her companion of the last 30 years.