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 conversat...

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...

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, tr...

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...

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, inc...

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 real...

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 "...

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 parro...

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 hi...

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 la...

Parrots are in crisis — in the wild AND in captivity. In this episode of Squawk Global, we pull back the curtain on the global parrot crisis: poaching, trafficking, commodification, and the massive (often ignored) captive parrot overflow problem. We’re joined by Dr. LoraKim Joyner ( One Earth Conservation ) — a wildlife veterinarian and longtime parrot conservation leader with decades of field exp...

Parrot rescues are quietly approaching a breaking point, and Judy Tennant (Founder of Parrot Partners Canada) says the pressure is about to spike. In this episode, we dig into the real drivers behind the “parrot crisis,” from aging owners and economic strain to limited access to avian vets and a lack of infrastructure for parrots compared to cats and dogs. Judy lays out why the traditional adoptio...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with certified parrot behavior consultant Robin Horemans about building trust, understanding bird communication, and creating enriching environments for our feathered companions. Robin shares her expertise on positive reinforcement training, working with rescue parrots, and groundbreaking research on environmental enrichment. Guest: Robin Horemans, CPBC (Certif...

Parrots are Oscar-winning actors at hiding illness, which is why “they seem fine” can turn into an emergency fast. In this episode of Squawk Global, we’re joined by Dr. Noémie Hoffman, an exotic veterinarian in Dubai, to break down seed diet dangers, “silent illness,” wing clipping risks, egg binding, and what real preventative parrot care looks like. If your bird is a seed junkie (or you’re tryin...

In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with Kelsey from @noplucksgiven   to hear the incredible rescue story of Louie, a 28-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw who spent 26 years confined to a tiny cage, losing the ability to fully spread his wings. Louie’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake. We get real about parrots as “pets,” why rescues are overwhelmed, and why parrot ownership need...