Chatterbox: Down to Earth

I am reading this really good book called Alex & Me by Irene M. Pepperberg about the cognitive abilities of animals. Alex is an african grey parrot and he is really sweet and soooo smart. I just wanted to know everybody elses opinions on the cognitive abilities of animals and if they are equal to human intellects. I personally think animals and humans are equal becuase people are animals. Feel free to post you opinion!