Squawks's Shaft (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest)

Squawks's Shaft is the tenth level of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Land 2. It is the fifth area of Crocodile Cauldron in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and also the fifth area of Krem Cauldron in Donkey Kong Land 2.

As the level's name implies, Squawks's Shaft takes place inside of a mine shaft, and Squawks the Parrot (in his first playable appearance) can be found throughout the second half of it. Krooks make their first appearance in this level, and they, along with a large amount of Zingers, try to defeat the Kongs throughout the whole level. Other enemies include Klomps, Kannons, and Klampons. In the second half of the level, Squawks must lead Diddy and Dixie Kong upwards to the top of the shaft, while dodging many of the level's enemies, including Zingers.

''Donkey Kong Country 2
At the beginning of the level, Diddy and Dixie must travel east to the barrel floating nearby. Aiming carefully, they need to shoot themselves up to the platforms above and climb up them where there are three Klomps. The heroes should defeat these foes and hop into the next barrel above the platform to the left. Again, there are three Klomps to beat. After passing them, the Kongs must hop into a barrel floating in the air. Once they shoot themselves up to the higher platform, they need to move east in the large mine shaft. There are two Krooks to attack the monkeys and stop their quest, but they can easily be defeated by a cartwheel attack, or by simply being jumped on. Then, the small group must jump into the following barrels and be shot upwards to the platforms above. There is a lone Zinger in their path, but when it moves away, they can shoot up to the next barrel. When they succeed passing the insect, they should jump across the platforms to the left and beat the Klampons on them. Again, the Kongs need to get in another barrel and shoot into other barrels hanging in the open space. Eventually, they can get to the next platform and break open the Star Barrel.

Now that they are halfway through the level, the heroes must hop in the barrel to the right and shoot up to another platform. On the way, there are two Zingers to watch out for, so the monkeys need to be quite cautious of their aim. Not long after that part, they continue on and break open a Squawks box and become able to ride on Squawks. Using the egg-spitting bird, they need to fly upwards. There are several enemies on the way up, including Zingers. There are also Krooks hanging around on the side of the level, and they throw their weapons at the group. If they bird is hit, he will drop a monkey, so the heroes must be extremely careful. There are also Mini Neckies, another hazard, charging at the animals. As they make their way through even more obstacles, a Kannon is spotted, shooting his cannons at the heroes. Once they pass a few more red Zingers and Mini Neckys, they make it up to a safe platform at last, where the monkeys and the bird cross the "No Squawks" sign. This causes Squawks to disappear, making the Kongs continue on foot to the nearby exit.

''Donkey Kong Land 2
From the start of the level, the Kongs need to go east and hop into a barrel in the air. It spins in circles when entered, so they must be very careful on their aim. When they shoot up to the next platform, there is a villainous Krook who tries to attack the monkeys. They can easily beat him with a jump, and then hop into the next barrel. It shoots them up to another barrel, which blasts them even higher. When they reach the next platform, they should find yet another barrel waiting to be used. When they jump in, they must carefully aim up to another platform to the left. There, they have to repeat this step to get to the next platform above. In this area, there is another barrel to travel into. The Kongs do not have to aim in this barrel, as it does not move, but there is a Zinger in their path. Once it moves to the left or right, they should shoot out of it to get to the next barrel above carefully. Eventually, they make it up to the next platform. Again, the heroes must jump into a barrel and shoot to the following barrels with cautious aim. Once they move on and get to the next platform, they should get in another barrel nearby. Aiming carefully again, they should shoot to the above-left platform. Here, there is a Krook to defeat, as well as another barrel to hop in. Using it, they are again shot barrel-to-barrel, watching out for a Zinger and landing on a higher-up platform, where a Star Barrel is waiting.

Halfway through the level, the Kongs must shoot though more barrels. This time, there is a Zinger and a Flitter in their path. If they can maneuver around them safely, they can get to the next platform, where they have to avoid a few more land enemies and get into an Animal Barrel, turning them into Squawks. As the bird, the heroes must fly up between two platforms. The animals must travel upward more and watch out for many Zingers flying by. There are many bananas to help direct them which way to go. Krooks also throw their hooks at the heroes as they ride up, while a large group of Flitters collide with them and attack. Eventually, the animals should make it to the top platform, where there is a "No Squawks" sign. It makes Squawks disappear when passed. After passing a Kannon, a spring is in view. It takes the Kongs out of the level when jumped on.

Bonus Levels

 * At the second part where the Kongs see three Klomps in a row, Dixie Kong must flutter to the right with her ponytail. She and Diddy should land in a barrel, where they must aim and fire to another barrel. There are Zingers, so they need to be careful. The next barrel shoots the monkeys into the first Bonus Barrel. In the Bonus Level, the heroes need to throw several treasure chests at a lone red Zinger and break them. One of the chests holds a Kremkoin, so once that specific chest is broken, the Kongs should get it to complete the stage.
 * Right by the Star Barrel, the monkeys must travel left, instead of right. There is a barrel that will shoot them to the Bonus Barrel when they jump into it. This takes them to the second Bonus Level, where they need to shoot barrel-to-barrel until they get to the top of the mine shaft. At the top of the area, the duo can find a Kremkoin.
 * On the Kongs way up the shaft on Squawks, they should, at some point, see two Krooks standing on two platforms across from each other. The heroes must go in between the two of them, and then move east. There is a hidden area here. If the animals travel upwards from here, they should find the Bonus Barrel, leading to the third Bonus Level. In this special level, the group must use Squawks to shoot eggs at a few Zingers, who are scattered all over the area. When they are all bested, a Kremkoin appears.

DK Coin

 * To find the DK Coin, the Kongs and Squawks must travel to the location of the third Bonus Barrel. From there, they must look slightly to the right, where the coin is waiting to be taken.

Golden Feather (Game Boy Advance version only)

 * Near the beginning of the level, the heroes should see two Krooks above and below each other. From there, the group must jump to the platform on the upper-left. There is a Dixie Barrel up in the air. Diddy must pick up Dixie and throw her in it. When she lands in it, she is shot to the following barrels. On the way, there are many bonuses to collect, as well as a Golden Feather.

Photograph (Game Boy Advance version only)

 * Early on in the level, the heroes should find a group of three Klomps. They must simply defeat them to find a photograph. With it, they are able to add another picture into Wrinkly's Scrapbook.

Warp Barrel

 * There is a secret warp zone in Diddy's Kong Quest that is hidden in this level. To find it, the Kongs must start at the beginning of the level with Dixie in the lead. They should see a Banana Coin under a platform. Dixie Kong should flutter down to that coin, and continue forward all the way to the corner. She should suddenly land into a Warp Barrel, which takes her to a Bonus Level featuring bananas in the shape of a ! mark. Afterwards, she can leave the special level and land near the exit of the main level.

Bonus Levels

 * Right after the second barrel, which shoots the player upwards, the Kongs should go left in the air, instead of going right. They should get into a different barrel, which shoots them sideways and into the first Bonus Barrel of the level, leading to the Bonus Level. Here, the Kongs must run up platforms, defeating a few Neeks. When all the pests are beat, the heroes must make it to the top of the area and grab the Kremkoin.
 * Near the end of the level when Diddy and Dixie turn into Squawks, they should fly around all the open areas. They can eventually find a Bonus Barrel in the right-hand side of the level. It takes them to the Bonus Level, where Squawks has to beat all the Zingers scattered around the stage with his egg-spitting abilities. When they are all bested, the Kremkoin appears at the top of the area.

DK Coin

 * Starting from where the Kongs land after they finish the first Bonus Level, they must hop into the barrel to the left and shoot to the next platform. At the end of that platform, they should drop right off and land on a different platform, where the DK Coin is found.