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

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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