Dr. Irene Pepperberg Speaks for the New York Companion Bird Club

Introduction by Maggie Wright, Publisher of Grey Play Round Table periodical and author of "African Grey Parrots: Everything About History, Care, Nutrition, Handling and Behavior".

(PRWEB) February 12, 2005 -- Dr. Irene Pepperberg studies Grey parrots. The main focus of her work is to determine the cognitive and communicative abilities of these birds, and compare their abilities with those of great apes, marine mammals, and young children. All proceeds will go to the Alex Foundation.

Dr. Pepperberg currently works with 4 African Grey Parrots. Alex, the oldest, can count, identify objects, shapes, colors and materials, knows the concepts of same and different, and bosses around lab assistants in order to modify his environment! They have begun work with phonics and there is evidence to suggest that, someday, Alex may be able to read. The results of this work have wide-ranging implications for at least three areas:

- Studies of avian versus mammalian brain function: Given that the avian brain, although considerably different from that of mammals, can process information in similar ways, might Dr. Pepperberg's procedures assist clinicians who are devising programs for brain-damaged humans?

- Programs for teaching language to dysfunctional children: Dr. Pepperberg's training techniques are being used, with some success, for developmentally-delayed children; might the procedures also work for children with other types of deficits?

- Targeting parrots for wildlife conservation initiatives: If parrots are as intelligent as chimpanzees and dolphins, shouldn't we make the same attempts to save them and their habitat as we are making for these other species?

Our Club will be forever grateful to Gregory LaMorte who is sponsoring Dr. Pepperberg's talk. "Returning to New York after working 5 years in London, I wanted a pet that I could interact with and would be good company in my Manhattan apartment. After much research, I purchased an Congo African Grey in 97, followed by a Timneh African Grey in 98. Being a Star Trek Fan, naming them was easy, Tuvok and Kes......

Free. Open to the Public.

Saturday, February 12, 2 pm

New York Public Library

112 E. 96 St, New York, NY

In the event of space limitations, preference will be given to our members. Info: 212-987-8299 or luciedove@yahoo.com

Sunday, February 13

Noon

Fundraiser for the Alex Foundation

Meet Dr. Irene Pepperberg

Chola Restaurant

232 E. 58 Street, NYC

Sumptuous Indian Cuisine

Pls rsvp (see above)

###