Celebrity research parrot, Alex, dead at 30

Alex, an African grey parrot who could count up to six and recognized several colors died last Friday after thirty years as a research subject. Dr. Ernie Saltmont, a Brandeis University scientist, expressed his deep grief over the loss. “It's just completely devastating to lose an individual you've worked with pretty much day and night for 30 years,” Dr. Saltmont told The Globe.

In a cruel coincidence the Brandeis Avian Research Facility's long-time building custodian Marianna Rodriguez, 59, and her grandson Miguel, 3, died as well in a car accident over the weekend.

Miguel, who could count well past 6 and knew as many colors as Alex, would frequently accompany his grandmother on her shifts. Ms. Rodriguez, whose upper counting limit was not easily discernible but who was colorblind, had worked in the facility for nearly the entire three decades she was employed at the university.

“She cleaned this floor?” asked Dr. Saltmont. “Every evening, you say? Hmm... Well. That's most unfortunate. First poor Alex, then Maria and her son... Huh? Mari-anna, right, right... Pardon? Oh yes, her grand-son, of course. It's just devastating.”