Alex & MeOn September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age thirty one. For thirty years he and his owner, Irene Pepperberg, had worked togethertwo pioneers who opened an unprecedented window into the hidden yet vast world of animal minds. Over the years, Alex had proved many things. He could add. He could sound out words. He understood concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none. He was capable of thought and intention.