Phoenix is featured in the article
A DISCUSSION OF PARROT INTELLIGENCE AND BEHAVIOR
The Pet Bird Report, Isssue #52 March/April 2001, Sally Blanchard editor

Recently, Phoenix was taken downstairs so he could look out the window and see the pheasants and the wild birds. Phoenix had not been in the utility room for some time and one could tell that he was a little nervous. I placed him on the windowsill where he watched the birds for a short while.

I picked him up, went up to the living room, and set him down on the back of the couch. While I was in the kitchen getting him his favorite treat he looked over at me and said "Phoenix alright."  On occasion when there has been a stormy night Phoenix will make this statement when he is uncovered in the morning. He clearly relates the phrase to stressful situations as a result of previous experience and interfacing with his human companion in those situations.

PHOENIX MAKES HIS OWN SENTENCES

When I leave the house I step into the bird room and say "Reg gotta go to work, bye birdies." Phoenix has heard this phrase for a number of years, he could just "parrot" it; but he doesn't. While he often tells the other birds "Reg gotta go to work" (note the shortened phrase), he sometimes constructs his own version. Once as I entered the room Phoenix made the following statement, "The birdies gotta go to work, bye Reg!" (NOTE: Phoenix speaks English in a very clear human voice)

A SHORT CONVERSATION WITH PHOENIX

Reginald: "Phoenix want vegetables?"
Phoenix: "Peanut."
Reginald: "Vegetables."
Phoenix:   "Cheese!" (His favorite treat)
Reginald: "VEGETABLES."
Phoenix:   "OK, vegetables."

This is not to imply that Phoenix repeats this conversation on a regular basis; he may never use this routine again. It is however, indicative of Phoenix's ability to respond to a situation when he is so inclined. Phoenix is quiet apt at ignoring you while indicating he is not interested in the conversation.

PHOENIX UNDERSTANDING ANNOYANCE

There are three conures in the room with Phoenix and they can be very noisy at times. Phoenix will tolerate a certain amount of SQUAWKING for length of time. When he has had enough of the excess noise he will tell the other bird to be quiet with "Quiet please" followed by "QUIET! birdies take a nap" (Phoenix and Altaira are relatively quiet and never get in to a squawking routine as the Conures do.)

Phoenix was presented as a gift when he was 7 weeks old and was still being hand fed. He is not considered a mascot of the Conservancy but is viewed as a non-human intelligent species of Creation and a companion of his guardians. He is a window with a view into a world alien to the human species.   That which we do unto Nature and Creation we do unto ourselves. Consequently, he is treated kindly and with respect.

Science can not quantify everything for various reasons, the foremost of which is the funding process. We seldom do science purely for the sake of knowledge; there is little profit in it (as in making money).  The subject of relationships with non-human species and their cognitive abilities is an area of much debate among researchers. 

 There is always the claim that we as humans tend to anthropomorphize non-human existences and that the limited research in this area of study is not good science.  There is the scientific adage that "we effect what we observe" and no where is that more true than when we endeavor to study another living species and determine its level of intelligence. A part of the difficulty in this type of research is that we most often measure intelligence relative to human expectations without giving consideration to the natural environment, in which the species under study may live and survive.  Parrots like Phoenix Grey Parrot behave differently with human companions than they do with other parrot companions in the wild environment. Parrots living with, and raised by humans, will behave differently even with other parrot companions.

Phoenix Grey Parrot can use English contextually correctly because that is the way he has been taught. Phoenix has never heard one of those "Teach your Parrot to Talk" tapes. Phoenix has heard English only from humans speaking to him mostly in specific situations with specific activities going on at the time. Consequently he has learned that certain sound strings bring certain results. Note here that we did not use the term "words".   It would be difficult to determine that Phoenix actually understands the meaning of words. He has learned that certain sound strings bring specific results. Phoenix will almost with out fail render "Phoenix want cheese." When he gets where he can see the refrigerator. He loves cheese and will ask for it often. In the morning when he is uncovered for the day the first thing you hear from Phoenix is, "Phoenix want out!"  Phoenix also knows how to lift the handle, slide the bar back, and let himself out of his cage.  He is quite apt at opening and removing the standard dog clasp to let his swing fall to the bottom of the cage.  He and Altaira (female African Grey) often pass toys from one cage to the other in exchange.
 
The measurement of intelligence is often a subjective measurement. and all to often "intelligence" is a parameter measured against human intelligence. Measurement is dependent upon the observer and the condition under which the observation takes place. Strict laboratory observation will provide a different results than a casual and friendly observations from one viewed as a companion to the subject of the observation. Strict laboratory control will effect the behavior of the subject under study while the more casual observations make it difficult to assure that there is a control element and empirically verifiable data.

PHOENIX AND 2VOK (1999)

Phoenix at 9 months old, opening his Christmas present