Squawk Global

Before you bring home a parrot because of a cute video, you need to hear this conversation.

This episode of Squawk Global is sponsored by Squawk Shop, your source for quality parrot supplies, cages, toys, Java trees, and enrichment products for companion parrots.

In this episode of Squawk Global, Kyle is joined by Megan and Sheen from Greta’s Roost Parrot Rescue in Alberta for an honest conversation about the reality of parrot rescue, rehoming, behavior challenges, and what it actually means to share your life with parrots.

We talk about why “not enough time” is often the easier thing to say when the real issue may be fear, overwhelm, behavior problems, or simply realizing that parrots are far more complex than people expected. Megan and Sheen also share how Greta’s Roost began, what foster-based rescue really looks like, and why there is no such thing as a perfect rescue home waiting for every bird.

This episode also digs into the impact of social media on parrot ownership. Cute bird videos can bring joy, but they can also create demand without showing the full picture: the noise, the mess, the cost, the vet care, the long lifespan, the behavior work, and the emotional responsibility that comes with these incredible animals.

We also discuss why experience does not always equal good care, why willingness to learn matters more than ego, and why talking to real parrot people, rescues, clubs, and science-based behavior professionals can make all the difference.

If you are thinking about getting a parrot, currently struggling with your bird, feeling guilty as a bird guardian, or simply want to better understand the rescue side of the parrot world, this episode is for you.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The origin story of Greta’s Roost Parrot Rescue

• Why “starter birds” are a harmful myth

• The real reasons many parrots are surrendered

• How behavior challenges lead to rehoming

• Why rescues do not have perfect homes waiting

• The guilt bird guardians carry

• How cute parrot videos can increase demand

• Why research alone is not enough

• The importance of parrot clubs, fosters, and community

• Why science-based behavior support matters

• What to consider before getting a parrot

Featured Guest:

Megan Craig and Sheen from Greta’s Roost Parrot Rescue

Learn more about Greta’s Roost:

https://www.gretasroost.ca

Resources mentioned:

Parrot SOS

Calgary Parrot Club

Edmonton Pet Parrot Association

Meika’s Safe House

Parrot Trends

Next week on Squawk Global:

We talk with Dr. Andrea Piseddu about PsittaWel, a science-based welfare assessment tool for companion parrots.

Thank you for watching and listening to Squawk Global. If this episode helped you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to understand that parrots are so much more than cute pets.

This episode is personal for us.

Today we’re joined by Rene Ebersole from WIRE — Wildlife Investigative Reporters and Editors. Rene is an investigative journalist who has spent years reporting on wildlife crime, environmental crime, and the exploitation of nature. Her reporting on the global parrot trade was one of the first things that made us stop and ask a hard question:

What role does social media play in creating demand for parrots?

In this conversation, Rene takes us behind the scenes of the global parrot trade — from African grey parrots being taken from the wild, to glue traps, pet markets, breeding systems, illegal laundering, and the businesses making money higher up the chain.

We also talk about the uncomfortable reality of cute parrot content. Parrots are intelligent, emotional, long-lived beings, and videos of talking birds can bring people joy. But they can also make people think, “I want one,” without understanding the lifelong commitment, the rescue crisis, or the demand that keeps the system moving.

This episode is not about guilt or shame. It’s about awareness, responsibility, and doing better once we know better.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why parrots are in demand because they are smart, social, and can talk
• How wildlife trade is driven by demand
• The reality of wild-caught African grey parrots
• Glue traps, poaching, and the high mortality rate of trafficked birds
• Why the people poaching birds are often exploited too
• How legal trade can hide illegal activity
• Why pet stores and social media can keep demand alive
• The difference between buying and adopting
• How new science, including microbiome testing, may help identify wild-caught birds
• Why rescue centers are overwhelmed
• How to think more responsibly about parrot ownership and parrot content

Rene’s reporting helped spark the mission behind Squawk Global, and this conversation is a big part of why we believe the message has to shift from:

“I want one”
to
“How can I help?”

Listen now and please share this episode with someone who loves parrots, watches parrot content, or is thinking about bringing a bird into their life.

Adopt, don’t shop.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Squawk Global, Kyle speaks with Rachel Slater about consent-based touch, parrot body language, and why biting is often misunderstood.

Rachel shares the story of Tikki, a cockatiel who had already been through four homes in his first year of life. When Tikki arrived, he was shut down, physically weak, wary of hands, and unable to fly properly. Through patience, trust, and consent-based handling, Rachel helped Tikki begin to feel safe again.

Together, Kyle and Rachel explore why biting is not “bad behaviour,” but communication. Rachel explains how birds use body language before escalating to a bite, including signs like pulling the crest back, opening the beak, leaning away, or making harsh warning sounds.

The episode also breaks down Rachel’s “stop and check” method — a simple way to ask a bird for permission before touch, pause during the interaction, and give the bird the choice to continue or walk away.

They also discuss attention-seeking bites, why punishment does not help, and why safe touch should stay around the head and neck to avoid triggering hormonal stress.

The central message is simple:

When a bird is allowed to say no, they become far more willing to say yes.

In this Episode

Kyle and Rachel discuss:

• Why birds are often passed from home to home when their behaviour is misunderstood
• Tikki’s story and how early neglect affected his confidence, diet, and ability to fly
• Why biting is communication, not a moral failing
• How to read parrot body language before a bite happens
• The difference between fear-based biting and attention-demanding biting
• How to use the “stop and check” method
• Why birds need the right to say no
• How to ask for consent before touching a bird
• Why head and neck tickles are safer than touching the back, wings, or body
• How consent-based handling builds trust and emotional safety

Key Takeaways

A bite is rarely the beginning of the conversation. It is often the final signal after quieter signs have been missed.

Consent-based touch gives birds a safe way to say yes, no, or “I’ve changed my mind.”

When a bird bites for attention, punishment can make the problem worse. Calmly removing your hand teaches the bird that biting does not work, while polite “green light” behaviours can be rewarded.

Even when a bird says yes to touch, where you touch matters. Rachel recommends keeping tickles to the head and neck area, because touching the back or wings can mimic mating behaviour and contribute to hormonal stress.

Trust is built when the bird learns that their choices matter.

About the Guest

Rachel Slater brings a background in animal care, behaviour science, and education. She earned her Animal Behaviour degree at the University of Sheffield and is now a Charter-qualified dog trainer working towards her Clinical Animal Behaviourist accreditation to work with avian companions.

Follow Rachel and Tikki

Instagram: @fur.clan.life

Helix Dog Training

In this moving episode of Squawk Global, Kyle Kaplanis and Emily Vincent sit down with Jennifer, the caretaker of Sammy and Thumper, two African Gray parrots who prove that "special needs" doesn't mean broken. Despite losing their toes as hatchlings and lacking the "performer" traits many seek in parrots, these brothers have found a flourishing life that challenges the industry's obsession with perfection.

• Resilience Over Perfection: Sammy and Thumper were the last birds left at their rescue because they couldn't be handled and didn't talk. Jennifer discusses the importance of seeing past physical disabilities to respect a bird's complex soul.

  
  

• The Story of "Ballerina Feet": The brothers lost their toes in the nest due to overzealous preening by their parents, likely caused by stress or inexperience. Jennifer describes their unique "ballerina feet" and how they have adapted remarkably well to their environment.

  
  

• Adaptive Care & Innovations:

  • The Fireman Slide: Because they cannot grip traditionally, the birds use their beaks to clamp onto objects or slide down their cages—a move Jennifer calls the "fireman slide".

    
    

  • Cage Setups: Their habitat features horizontal bars, flat perches, and heavy padding with paper towels to prevent injury during frequent, unpredictable falls.

    
    

  • Health Maintenance: Without claws to clean their own nares (nostrils), Jennifer must take them for professional nasal flushes to clear out dust and debris.

    
    

• The "Talking Parrot" Myth: The hosts and Jennifer tackle the "dark side" of the parrot industry—the disappointment owners feel when a bird doesn't talk. Jennifer emphasizes loving birds for their unique personalities rather than their ability to perform.

  
  

• The Power of Community: Jennifer shares how her social media page has connected her with hundreds of other owners of disabled birds, providing a platform for education that even some veterinarians haven't encountered.

  
  

Sammy

• The "sweet" brother; slightly more independent but loves music.
• Loves cardboard shredding, whistling, and "good air" when he chooses to fly.

Thumper

• The "ham" of the flock; very attached to Jennifer.
• Loves wood-destroying toys and jamming out to "Thunder" by Imagine Dragons.

"Intelligent isn't always loud and special needs doesn't mean broken." — Kyle Kaplanis

"They're beings that rely on you and they're part of your family. They're not something that you're just gonna give up... they're not there to be your temporary entertainment." — Jennifer

• Follow the Boys: Find Jennifer, Sammy, and Thumper on Instagram @twograyguys.

  
  

• Listen to Gizmo’s Song: "Who Let the Birds Out" by Jetty Rachers (available on Spotify and Apple Music).

  
  

• Support & Education: Learn more about avian rescue and responsible guardianship through visiting us at squawkglobal.com

In this episode of Squawk Global, Kyle and Emily are joined by Fiona, the founder of Little Beaks Sanctuary in Perth, Australia. Fiona shares the "unfiltered truth" behind her decade-long journey evolving from a budgie lover to the operator of a registered sanctuary that provides a permanent home for birds discarded by the industry.

We dive deep into the disturbing realities of the pet trade, including the "disposal" of birds with deformities that shops and breeders deem "un-sellable". Fiona exposes the deceptive marketing of "hand-raised" birds, explaining how wing clipping is often used to simulate tameness in terrified babies.

The conversation also tackles the devastating emotional toll on both the animals and their caretakers, highlighting the high suicide rates among avian veterinarians who witness preventable suffering daily. From the unique "Weiros" of Western Australia to the global crisis of "post-COVID" surrenders, this episode challenges every listener to ask: Is bird captivity for their benefit, or just our own?.

• The "Un-sellable" Truth: Fiona discusses how birds with disabilities or deformities are often killed by breeders or disposed of by shops because they lack commercial value.

  
  

• The Clipping Lie: A critical look at how wing clipping hinders physical development and is used to keep "tame" birds from fleeing.

  
  

• A Sanctuary, Not a Shelter: Why Little Beaks refuses to adopt birds out, choosing instead to prioritize the stability of the flock and the peace of mind of surrendering guardians.

  
  

• Veterinary Crisis: A somber discussion on the mental health crisis within the avian veterinary field due to the trauma of treating mistreated captive birds.

  
  

• What is a "Weiro"? Learning about the West Australian term for the cockatiel, derived from indigenous language.

  
  

• The Ethics of Captivity: The team discusses why birds—even small species like budgies—should never have been made captive due to their complex social and flight needs.

  
  

Connect with Little Beaks:

• Website: www.littlebeaks.org

  
  

• Social Media: Find them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

  
  

• Email: [email protected]

  
  

Did this episode change your perspective on bird ownership?

The Wild Cannot Be Manufactured.

On paper, the laws protecting exotic birds in Germany and the United States look rigorous—idealized attempts to mandate the conditions of the wild using the rigid language of federal law. But a law is only as strong as its enforcement. In this hard-hitting investigative episode, we peel back the "clinical" curtain of the Animal Welfare Act to reveal the hollow reality of the multi-billion dollar exotic pet trade.

From undercover investigations into high-volume breeding mills to the front lines of global conservation, we explore the "unsolvable paradox" of the parrot industry: the attempt to treat a complex, sentient biological organism like a factory widget.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Hollow Law: How breeders exploit "telemedicine" loopholes to bypass physical veterinary exams, and why inspectors often turn a blind eye to horrific conditions to protect the financial viability of breeders.

  
  

• The 80% Failure Rate: Why 8 out of 10 parrots are rehomed within the first three years due to "false expectations" set by social media and a lack of owner education.

  
  

• Biological Mismatch: Why the standard human home—filled with Teflon pans and ceiling fans—functions as a hazardous cage for an animal evolved to fly miles every day.

  
  

• The "Desert of Parrots": The devastating global impact of poaching, including the 1.3 million African Greys taken from the wild in the last 40 years.

  
  

• The Safety Net: The systemic collapse of the rescue system and the desperate need for a "Parrot Pension Plan" to provide for birds that outlive their owners.

  
  

Featured Voices:

• Pete Paxton: Director of Investigations at SEED, revealing firsthand accounts of "bird mills" with 3,000 parrots in cramped, rusted wire cages.

  
  

• Dr. LoraKim Joyner: Wildlife Veterinarian (One Earth Conservation) on the 40-year "parrot crisis" and the loss of ancient traditions in countries of origin.

  
  

• Dr. Rachel Siu & Dr. Noémie Hoffman: Exotic veterinarians detailing the "seed junkie" health crisis and the psychological toll of wing clipping.

  
  

• Judith Tennant: Executive Director of Parrot Partners Canada, on the "Rehoming Roulette" and the impending "Baby Boomer" ownership crisis.

  
  

Take Action:We are trying to solve a biological problem with paperwork. The only real solution starts with you.

• Choose the ethical path: Adopt, don't shop. Don't buy, sell, or breed.

  
  

Resources:

• SEED Undercover Investigations

• International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots (IAPP)

• One Earth Conservation

• Parrot Partners Canada

Episode 9: Inside the Bird Mills with Pete Paxton

In this eye-opening episode, Kyle and Emily sit down with Pete Paxton, Director of Investigations for SEED and a veteran undercover investigator who has been exposing animal cruelty since 2001. Pete shares his harrowing journey from investigating puppy mills and factory farms to his most recent work with World Animal Protection in uncovering the "bird mill" industry.

We dive deep into the uncomfortable realities of commercial bird breeding—from the lack of enrichment and "cage crazy" behavior to the shocking methods of disposal for birds that cannot be sold. Pete explains why federal oversight often fails and how the "reputable breeder" narrative can be a mask for systemic neglect.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Transition to Birds: How Pete’s background in puppy mill investigations led him to partner with World Animal Protection to capture the first-ever undercover footage of commercial parrot breeding facilities.
• Life Inside a Bird Mill: A description of facilities housing 3,000+ parrots in conditions identical to puppy mills, featuring "cages on stilts" and zero mental stimulation.
• The Failure of Regulation: Why USDA inspectors often "let things slide" and how facilities maintain clean paper trails despite active cruelty.
• The "Adopt, Don't Buy" Message: Why promoting reputable breeders often plays into the hands of smugglers and mill owners.
• Climate Change and Birds: The increasing burden on rescues due to natural disasters and pet displacement.

Connect with Pete’s Work:

• SEED Undercover Investigations: seedundercoverinvestigations.org 
• Ethical Strategies: ethicalstrategies.org 
• Campaign Website: dontbuybirds.org 
• World Animal Protection: worldanimalprotection.us

Support the show

Our Mission:
We’re dedicated to parrot rescue advocacy and education. Through Squawk Shop, we support rescue efforts with the hope that one day parrots will only exist in the wild where they belong.

You can find the full length video of this podcast on our YouTube Channel

YouTube: @SquawkGlobal

Follow Gizmo the Grey Bird
Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/YouTube:  @gizmothegreybird

🛒 Shop: https://squawkshop.com
📧 Contact: [email protected]

#ParrotRescue #MacawRescue #RescueDontBuy #ParrotCare #BirdRescue #ExoticPets #AnimalRescue #ParrotTraining #MacawLife #RescueAdvocacy

If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help spread awareness about parrot rescue. 🦜💙

In this episode of Squawk Global, we sit down with Sara Gannon, guardian of Mona the Macaw, an 18-year-old Scarlet Macaw rescue whose story is equal parts beautiful, heartbreaking, and eye-opening. Sara shares how she met Mona while volunteering at a bird sanctuary, how their bond formed over time, and why adopting a parrot should never be a rushed decision.  

We get into the realities of parrot rescue, rehoming, and what life is really like with a large bird. From hormonal behavior and partner preferences to property damage, screaming, poop, training, enrichment, and long-term care planning, this conversation tells the truth about macaw ownership and responsible bird guardianship.  

Sara also opens up about the emotional side of living with a rescue parrot, the patience it took for Mona to trust both her and her husband, and why parrots are not “starter pets.” The episode also explores the bigger mission behind Squawk Global: raising awareness about the parrot rehoming crisis, the ethics of keeping birds in homes, and why education matters if we want real change for parrots in captivity.  

In this episode:

• Mona’s rescue and adoption story
• How Sara met Mona at a sanctuary
• Why parrots choose their people
• The truth about living with a Scarlet Macaw
• Bird behavior, hormones, bites, and body language
• Why there is no such thing as a “starter bird”
• Rehoming, sanctuary life, and rescue realities
• Travel, enrichment, routine, and household challenges
• Long-term planning for parrots with long lifespans
• Why Squawk Global is advocating for better futures for parrots

About the Guest

Mona is an 18 year old Scarlet Macaw that was adopted from Free Flight Birds in 2019 by her guardian Sara. 

Instagram: @monathemacaw

TikTok: @monathemacaw

YouTube: @monathemacaw

Support the show

Our Mission:
We’re dedicated to parrot rescue advocacy and education. Through Squawk Shop, we support rescue efforts with the hope that one day parrots will only exist in the wild where they belong.

You can find the full length video of this podcast on our YouTube Channel

YouTube: @SquawkGlobal

Follow Gizmo the Grey Bird
Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/YouTube:  @gizmothegreybird

🛒 Shop: https://squawkshop.com
📧 Contact: [email protected]

#ParrotRescue #MacawRescue #RescueDontBuy #ParrotCare #BirdRescue #ExoticPets #AnimalRescue #ParrotTraining #MacawLife #RescueAdvocacy

If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help spread awareness about parrot rescue. 🦜💙

Claire joins Kyle and Emily to share the story of Yorka, her 23-year-old blue-and-gold macaw, and the rescue journey that brought them together. They talk about trust, second chances, and the realities of life with a parrot — from bonding and behavior challenges to enrichment, training, and long-term care.

Claire reflects on Yorka’s past, their quick connection, and the patience it took to help him settle into family life. The episode also highlights the joys of living with Yorka, from pistachios and foraging games to sofa cuddles and public outings on his harness.

At its heart, this is a story about rescue, responsibility, and why Claire believes so strongly in adopt, don’t shop.

Key Topics

• Yorka’s rescue story and rehoming journey
• Why Claire chose adoption over buying from a breeder
• Building trust and bonding with a rescue macaw
• Managing jealousy and family dynamics with parrots
• Reading parrot body language and understanding warning signs
• Diet, treats, enrichment, and foraging
• Household destruction and the realities of parrot ownership
• Harness training and social outings
• The shortage of avian vets and emergency preparedness
• Why long-term planning matters for parrots with long lifespans  

Memorable Moments

• Claire choosing Yorka after reading his cheeky rescue bio
• Yorka’s habit of swearing, saying hello, and blowing kisses
• The story behind his name changing from “Majorca” to “Yorka”
• Yorka attacking magazines like they personally offended him
• Claire describing sofa cuddles before bedtime as her favorite moment
• Yorka’s love for pub visits and attention from strangers  

Guest Links

Claire says Yorka can be found on:

• Instagram: @aintnolawmacaw
• TikTok: Yorka Macaw  

Support the show

Our Mission:
We’re dedicated to parrot rescue advocacy and education. Through Squawk Shop, we support rescue efforts with the hope that one day parrots will only exist in the wild where they belong.

You can find the full length video of this podcast on our YouTube Channel

YouTube: @SquawkGlobal

Follow Gizmo the Grey Bird
Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/YouTube:  @gizmothegreybird

🛒 Shop: https://squawkshop.com
📧 Contact: [email protected]

#ParrotRescue #MacawRescue #RescueDontBuy #ParrotCare #BirdRescue #ExoticPets #AnimalRescue #ParrotTraining #MacawLife #RescueAdvocacy

If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help spread awareness about parrot rescue. 🦜💙

In this episode of the Squawk Global Podcast, we’re joined by exotic veterinarian Dr. Rachel Siu to talk about one of the biggest challenges parrot owners face: hormones.

We dive into why so many parrots are rehomed once they reach sexual maturity, the common hormonal behaviors owners mistake as “cute,” and what bird parents can do to reduce triggers at home. Dr. Siu also shares insight on egg laying, mating behaviors, sleep, diet, unsafe toys, Teflon dangers, rescue advocacy, and why parrots often arrive at the vet too late.

This episode is packed with practical education for both new and experienced bird owners.

In this episode:

• Why parrots often change as they mature
• Common signs of hormonal behavior in male and female birds
• Egg laying, nesting, and species differences
• How owners accidentally reinforce hormonal behavior
• Why parrots get rehomed
• The role of rescue, rehabilitation, and advocacy
• Household dangers like Teflon and unsafe toy hardware
• Diet mistakes owners commonly make
• How much sleep parrots really need
• Dr. Siu’s thoughts on wing clipping

Guest: Dr. Rachel Siu

Exotic veterinarian and exotic pet educator based in Dallas, Texas

Follow Dr. Rachel Siu on Social Media

Instagram: exotic.pet.vet

TikTok: exotic.pet.vet

YouTube: Dr. Rachel, Exotic Pet Vet

Facebook: Dr. Rachel, Exotic Pet Vet

Support the show

Our Mission:
We’re dedicated to parrot rescue advocacy and education. Through Squawk Shop, we support rescue efforts with the hope that one day parrots will only exist in the wild where they belong.

You can find the full length video of this podcast on our YouTube Channel

YouTube: @SquawkGlobal

Follow Gizmo the Grey Bird
Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/YouTube:  @gizmothegreybird

🛒 Shop: https://squawkshop.com
📧 Contact: [email protected]

#ParrotRescue #MacawRescue #RescueDontBuy #ParrotCare #BirdRescue #ExoticPets #AnimalRescue #ParrotTraining #MacawLife #RescueAdvocacy

If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help spread awareness about parrot rescue. 🦜💙