The Aviary Origins

The Aviary was born from a simple idea, to give parrots better food and, in turn, better lives. We’re a small UK-based team who care deeply about parrot welfare, both in our homes and in the wild. Our mission is to create honest, healthy products that support real birds and real people, and to give back through conservation efforts that make a genuine difference. This is about doing things properly, no fluff, no nonsense.

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Where did we start?

At the end of 2021, I dove deep into the world of avian nutrition. I spent countless hours researching everything science could tell us about parrot diets, and just as much time realising how much we still don’t know. What I did find was fascinating: wild parrots eat an incredibly diverse range of foods, and their diets vary widely across species and regions. It opened my eyes to how much our companion parrots are missing out on, especially when fed a bland, pellet-only diet.

That realisation changed everything for me. I started thinking differently, not just about what I was feeding my own birds, but about how their gut health, mood, and overall wellbeing were all connected. I’ve long been passionate about the gut-brain link in both humans and animals, and the more I learned, the more convinced I became that our parrots deserve better. I reached out to experts and scientists in the field, people observing wild parrots in their natural habitats, and picked their brains about what they are ACTUALLY eating out there, and how we can replicate that in our homes.

So I set out to create a shelf-stable dry mix made from real, nutritious, human-grade ingredients. I shared the first version of my home made dry mix on YouTube in early 2022, and the response was amazing. That video, Dry Mix for Parrots, is still helping people today. At the time, I had hoped to launch a product based on that idea, but life had other plans.

Now, in 2025, with years more experience under my belt, working closely with different parrot species, learning from experts and professionals, gaining experience in conservation and wild parrot behaviour, and diving deeper into avian nutrition, I’ve decided to reclaim that original idea and do it the real justice it deserves.

What began with my first blend, (Soothing Dry mix) inspired by my macaw Shelby’s sensitive nature (and her loud, chaotic energy!), has since grown into a diverse range of products designed to support parrots in every aspect of their health and happiness. From calming, nutrient-dense recipes to mixes that encourage foraging and variety, each product is created with the same focus on quality ingredients, scientific research, and the unique needs of captive parrots whilst keeping in mind their wild diet. These blends have transformed how I feed my own birds, and now, they’re here to do the same for yours.

This business isn’t just about food. It’s about building something that gives back. My background in conservation, working alongside organisations committed to wild parrot protection and rehabilitation, has deeply shaped my mission. A portion of our profits is donated to charities each year to support parrot rescue, rewilding, and habitat preservation.

We believe in better food, a better life for captive parrots, and a better future for those still living wild and free. Our foundations are rooted in science and data, and we are constantly learning and improving. Thank you for being part of that journey with us.

Shelby Inspired Dry Mix

  • Our Journey

    The Aviary began with one passionate parrot owner searching for better answers. After years of research into avian nutrition and behaviour, our founder created her first dry mix in 2022. The goal was simple: to help parrots live happier, healthier lives, starting with what goes in their bowl.

  • Our Products

    Every product we create is made from real, human-grade ingredients. Designed to support gut health, behaviour, and enrichment, our dry mixes, seed blends, sprouting kits and teas are formulated with care, knowledge, and love. Always honest, always high quality.

  • Our Purpose

    We believe good nutrition is just the beginning. That’s why a portion of our profits supports wild parrot conservation. From rewilding efforts to habitat preservation, we’re helping protect parrots in the wild while caring for them at home.
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How else are we having an impact?

Alongside our nutritious parrot food, we also run a speciality coffee business for humans who care about the planet. Both branches of The Aviary work together to support wild parrot conservation. So whether you're filling your bird’s bowl or sipping your morning brew, you’re helping protect endangered species and the habitats they depend on.

The Aviary Coffee Shop

Disclaimer:

The Aviary is an independent business and is not affiliated with any other parrot food brand, product, or company, regardless of similar names, likenesses, imagery or packaging. The Aviary is owned by the owner of Shelby The Macaw. Products marketed using the name Shelby the Macaw or featuring her image or story that can be found elsewhere are not endorsed by, connected to, or created by The Aviary. All Aviary products are found here on this site and are original, formulated and produced by us with integrity, and reflect our own values of nutrition, sustainability, fairness and transparency.