A scientist and her parrot

The story of a Brandeis University scientist and her famous African grey parrot, Alex, whose untimely death last fall made news around the world, will be told in a book. Irene Pepperberg’s memoir, tentatively titled “Alex and Me,” covers her 30 years with the parrot that could count to six, identify colors and even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials. It will be released this fall by Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Alex was in his 30s when he died, well short of the African grey parrot’s average 50-year life span.