Overview

Squawks the parrot has the most non-cameo appearances of any animal buddy, tied with Enguarde. He is the only animal buddy to possess multiple different powers. In Donkey Kong Country, he was not directly controllable. He only appeared in one level, "Torchlight Trouble," where he would carry a lantern around and follow the player through the nearly pitch-black stage.

In Donkey Kong Country 2 and Donkey Kong Country 3, and their Game Boy counterparts, he was directly controllable. Much larger than before, he could fly (either carrying the Kongs or alone) and spit eggs at the enemies. Thus, Squawks plays almost identically whether released from a crate or transformed into via a barrel in these games, though the presence of the Kongs makes him a bigger target for enemies, and can weigh him down.

Also, Donkey Kong Country 2 contained a blue parrot similar to Squawks that could only float downward slowly, while Donkey Kong Country 3 featured a purple parrot that could fly normally and pick up barrels, but could not spit eggs. The two parrots are often confused for each other; one or both is often called "Squeaks" or "Flapper" on various fansites, but the only official name given to them are "Squawks' Cousins."

In Donkey Kong 64, Squawks was returned to his original size, and he served as the player's guide throughout the game, but in certain areas, he reprised his roles from previous games; he could carry Tiny Kong if she shrunk herself, and he would carry a lantern in some dark caves. In the same game, purple parrots (in addition to green ones) are also seen during cinematic sequences, but they're essentially background characters.

Squawks is also the first animal buddy to fight against his own boss: King Zing, in Donkey Kong Country 2. (Rambi is actually the first to encounter King Zing, but only Squawks can fight him.)

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