Retrospectacle: A Neuroscience Blog

Hawaiian Retiree Takes Grey Parrot to Breakfast

Posted by Shelley Batts on May 22, 2007
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A friend of mine in the Neuroscience program just got back from Hawaii (nice spot for an academic conference, I’ll say) and sent me some entirely amusing parrot pictures. FYI, the title of the email was “You in 40 Years?” Hrm.

“In Hilo, at “Bear’s Cafe,” I saw a retired lady eating breakfast with her African Grey “Yullie” or “Yummie” or
something like that. Notice he had has own plate and was eating breakfast. The lady knew who Alex was; I told her I had just met Dr. Pepperberg the week before….”

i-bbf94087d156f13a8b4ba53d5d4561f7-cafe parrot 1.jpg

i-70e685c20b3915cd03af091b99110314-cafe parrot 2.jpg

i-08f38b117ef8d78d2b66d363af771e46-cafe parrot 3.jpg

If only I could be so lucky as to be brunching with Pepper in Hawaii one day! Although, I can’t say much for that hat….

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Comments

  1. #1 Rob Knop
    May 22, 2007

    I like the hat. Not too tight-fitting, not too heavy, but it’ll keep the sun off.

    When you have a bald head, you start to appreciate having a hat between the sun and your head.

    The AAS is having their summer meeting in Hawaii, but I think it’s not going to be very well attended. On the plus side, it’s in Hawaii. On the minus side, it’s more expensive to get to for most of the members….

    -Rob

  2. #2 Shelley
    May 22, 2007

    Rob, I think that hat would look positively precious on you. :)

  3. #3 Charlie (Colorado)
    May 22, 2007

    I’ve definitely been in Boulder too long. First read: “…takes gay parrot to lunch.”

  5. #5 Rob
    May 23, 2007

    Irene Pepperberg teaches Alex to talk, but Barney the Blue and Gold Macaw teaches Dylan Hargreaves to talk. I’m more impressed with Barney.

    Seriously, I wonder if it’s some form of the rival/model method. Normally, one wouldn’t expect r.m.m. to work with autistic children. Perhaps, because Barney is non-human, the child is able to focus. Parrots have much more subtle and limited facial expressions, and thus might be easier for an autistic child to focus on. Humans might be too intense.

    Anyway, thanks for another parrot post!