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

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: info@littlebeaks.org

  
  

Did this episode change your perspective on bird ownership?