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.

As the title implies, this level takes place inside a mine shaft, and Squawks (in his first playable appearance) can be found throughout the second half. Krooks make their first appearance in this level. Other enemies include Klomps, Kannons, Zingers and Klampons.

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 will be 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, and then 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, 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 will 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 monkey need to be quite cautious of their aim. Not long after that part, they will continue on and break open a Squawks box and be able to ride on Squawks. Using the pellet-spitting bird, they need to fly upwards. There are several enemies on the way up, including Zingers. There are Krooks hanging around on the side of the level, and they can throw their weapons at the group. If they bird is hit, he will drop a monkey, so the heroes must be extremely careful! There will also be Mini Neckys, another hazard, charging at the animals. As they make their way through even more obstacles, a Kannon will be spotted, shooting his cannons at the heroes. Once they pass a few more red Zingers and Mini Neckys, they will make it up to a safe platform at last, where the monkeys and bird will cross the "No Squawks" sign. This will unfortunately make Squawks disappear, but a few steps ahead is the end of the level!

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 will spin in circles, so they must be very careful on their aim. When they shoot up to the next platform, there will be a villainous Krook who will try to attack the monkeys. They can easily beat him with a helpful jump, and hop into the next barrel. It will shoot them up to another barrel, which will shoot them even higher. They should reach a higher platform, where there is yet another barrel waiting to be used. When they jump in, they must carefully aim up to another platform to the left. There, they will have to repeat this step to get to the next platform above. Here, there is the next 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, shoot they must get to the next barrel above carefully. Eventually, they will 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 will 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 will again shoot barrel-to-barrel, watching out for a Zinger, and land on a higher-up platform, where is Star Barrel is waiting.

Halfway through the level, the Kongs will shoot though more barrels. This time, there is a Zinger and a Flitter in their path. If they can maneuver around them safely, they will get to the next platform where 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 will also throw their hooks at the heroes, while a large group of Flitters collide with them and attack. Eventually, the animals will get to the top platform, where there is a "No Squawks" sign. It will make Squawks disappear when passed, as usual. After passing a Kannon, a spring will be in view. It will take the Kongs out of the level!

Bonus Level(s)
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 will aim and fire to another barrel. There are Zingers, so they need to be careful. The next barrel will shoot 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.

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 will take them to the second Bonus Level, where they need to shoot barrel-to-barrel until they get to the top of the mine shaft, where there is 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 will find the Bonus Barrel, leading to the Bonus Level! In this special level, the group must use Squawks to shoot pellets at a few Zingers, who are scattered all over the area. When they are all bested, a Kremkoin will appear.

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

Golden Feather (GBA Only)
Near the beginning of the level, the heroes will see two Krooks above and below each other. From here, 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 will be shot to the following barrels. On the way, there are many bonuses to collect, as well as a Golden Feather.

Other
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 will 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 will suddenly land into a Warp Barrel, which will take her to a Bonus Level featuring bananas in the shape of a ! mark. Then she must leave that special level and land in the exit of the main level.