Apollo, a 4-year-old African grey parrot, has soared into the Guinness World Records by achieving the most items identified by a parrot in three minutes. On December 18, 2023, Apollo broke the record by successfully identifying 12 items, showcasing his remarkable cognitive abilities.
Based in Florida, Apollo is a viral TikTok sensation with a following of 2.8 million and a YouTube channel boasting over 1.3 million subscribers. His videos frequently garner millions of views, further cementing his status as an internet star. Apollo’s impressive record-setting performance included naming objects such as “bug,” “book,” and “sock,” but his owners, Dalton and Victoria Mason, believe he may be capable of even more.
Apollo joined the Masons in 2020 after they discovered him in a pet shop. He lives with the Masons and two white-bellied caiques, Soleil and Ophelia, who also make occasional appearances in the videos. His training is based on the methods of Dr. Irene Pepperberg, renowned for her work with Alex, a gray parrot known for his extraordinary intelligence. Dr. Pepperberg’s model/rival method, which involves teaching by example and interaction, has been used to train Apollo.
Victoria and Dalton emphasize a natural and engaging approach to Apollo’s education, focusing on his interests and allowing him to learn at his own pace. “We teach him as much as we can naturally in day-to-day life and focus on the things Apollo wants to focus on. We believe he will learn things faster that way,” they explained.
The Masons hope to highlight the “natural intelligence found in animals,” demonstrating that intelligence is not exclusive to humans. While Apollo continues to astound with his abilities, the Masons aim to raise awareness about the cognitive capabilities of various animals, expanding our understanding of their intellectual potential.
As Apollo enjoys his newfound fame, there is anticipation around what new records he might break and what further feats of intelligence he might achieve.
You Might Be Interested In:
