Gifted Talking And Singing Grey Parrot Einstein Dies At 38

The beloved African Grey Parrot was a longtime animal ambassador at Zoo Knoxville.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Einstein, a 38-year-old African Grey Parrot known for her remarkable intelligence, vocal abilities, and charismatic personality, has died at Zoo Knoxville. The parrot, who could mimic over 300 sounds and 100 words, was a popular ambassador for the zoo and wildlife conservation for over 30 years.

Why it matters

Einstein's death is a loss for the zoo and the broader community who were captivated by her intelligence and talent. As an endangered species, African Grey Parrots face threats from habitat loss and the illegal pet trade, making Einstein's role as a conservation ambassador all the more important.

The details

Einstein died from a cancerous tumor on her syrinx, the vocal organ unique to birds. Despite the tumor, she maintained her high quality of life until the last week. Zoo staff worked closely with veterinarians to monitor Einstein's health in her final years. She was a beloved figure who regularly appeared on national TV programs and at University of Tennessee sporting events.

  • Einstein was hatched in 1987.
  • Einstein arrived at Zoo Knoxville on April 2, 1992.
  • In May 2023, zoo staff noticed a slight change in Einstein's voice and identified a small mass on her syrinx.
  • In the last week of her life, the mass had unfortunately grown, and the zoo was unable to treat it further.
  • Einstein died on February 12, 2026.

The players

Einstein

A 38-year-old African Grey Parrot known for her remarkable intelligence, vocal abilities, and charismatic personality. She was a longtime animal ambassador at Zoo Knoxville.

Nikki Edwards

A bird keeper and parrot trainer who worked with Einstein for 15 years at Zoo Knoxville.

Rebecca Ziegler

A bird keeper and trainer at Zoo Knoxville who worked with Einstein.

Adam Patterson

The Curator of Behavioral Husbandry at Zoo Knoxville who also worked with and trained Einstein.

Bill Street

The President and CEO of Zoo Knoxville.

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What they’re saying

“Einstein has ... she was my girlfriend.”

— Nikki Edwards, bird keeper and parrot trainer (Instagram)

“You're not always going to get an Einstein. She's pretty special.”

— Nikki Edwards, bird keeper and parrot trainer (Instagram)

“Her personality is one that you can't miss. She so chatty, so talkative. There's truly never a dull moment when she's around.”

— Rebecca Ziegler, bird keeper and trainer (Instagram)

“This is going to be a tough one. There's gonna be a little bit of a hole there, for sure.”

— Adam Patterson, Curator of Behavioral Husbandry (Instagram)

“People are going to remember how engaging she was, how charismatic she was. She always brought a smile to everybody's face. That's the kind of impact Einstein had. That's the kind of connection that Einstein had.”

— Adam Patterson, Curator of Behavioral Husbandry (Instagram)

What’s next

The zoo staff will hold a memorial service to celebrate Einstein's life and legacy.

The takeaway

Einstein's remarkable abilities and charismatic personality made her a beloved ambassador for wildlife conservation, inspiring greater awareness and action to protect endangered African Grey Parrots and their habitats.