GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
tags: African grey parrot, Alex the parrot, Alex & Me, ethology, cognition, learning, parrots, Irene Pepperberg, books
I am attending a book tour reading by researcher, Irene Pepperberg, that is promoting her new book, Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence -- and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process, this Sunday evening, 2 November, in NYC. I have been trying to arrange an interview with her, and still have no idea if it will happen, but if I do manage to interview her, what questions would you like to ask her?
Unfortunately, even though I reviewed the early promotional pre-release of her book seven months ago, I still have not seen her finished book, so I cannot tell you anything about it beyond what is in the review itself. Considering that Collins, the publishers, purchased the top banner advertizing space on ScienceBlogs to promote this book, the fact that they so easily overlooked me, a parrot researcher, parrot owner and breeder, and prolific amateur book reviewer here at ScienceBlogs, is (in my opinion), inexcusable.
But alas, that's life. At least my readers are looking out for me: one of my local readers purchased a ticket to Pepperberg's appearance so I could be there! So I am going to make the most of this opportunity by asking as many of your questions of Irene as I can, and then I will tell you about it.
Education & Careers
Brain & Behavior
Comments
I guess it would be impolite to ask if Irene would like a cracker.
I guess it would be even more impolite to ask her who came up with that awful subtitle for her book. It would actually put me off from reading it.
Posted by: Bob O'H | October 30, 2008 2:06 AM
I would love to know how to develop a similar level of communication with my parrot - even if only know, before wasting 'em, when she is sick and tired of green beans, or if she'd rather have hot sauce or garlic on her dinner tonight.
Seriously. Facing the prospect of the rest of my life with a always 3 year old feathered kid - these are important things to know.
Posted by: Darr Sandberg | October 30, 2008 2:27 AM
What's your address? I'm her publicist, I'll send you a copy of the book. Sorry to overlook you.
Posted by: Gretchen | October 30, 2008 1:07 PM
I have alwasy wondered if the birds were all alone at night. Our Birdo is most insistent about everyone in place and "all is right in the world" before crooning into sleep. Providing emotional security during those hours could be a critical component of avain care.
Posted by: Carol | October 30, 2008 9:21 PM
thanks gretchen, i will send my mailing address to you today (now that i finally have a decent wireless connection). for the record, my mailing address is also on my blog, under the top bar "contact" under my banner.
okay, outside of green beans and such, i am thinking i'd like to ask irene this question: "in view of all the thousands of African grey parrots that never talk, do you think was Alex a genius? or do you think that all greys will be motivated to talk if trained using your "rival" method?"
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | October 31, 2008 4:42 PM