Hello, my parrot lovers...
Hi, I'm Karmen Budai — founder, proud parrot lover, and the heart behind Polly’s Natural Parrot Boutique. It all started in 2016 when Polly, a lively and irresistibly fluffy lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo, came into my life. She was pure joy wrapped in feathers and from the moment she arrived, she completely stole our hearts.
But Polly’s journey took an unexpected turn. A series of health issues pushed me to search for alternative, holistic approaches to avian wellness. That’s when I discovered the power of raw whole foods, sprouted seeds, dried herbs, and specially formulated avian herbal teas. Through trial and error, I witnessed firsthand how a balanced, diverse diet paired with these natural remedies played a vital role in Polly’s recovery. During that time, I began sharing Polly’s gourmet, health-conscious meals on social media. One day, someone commented: “You're like the Nigella Lawson for parrots — you should write a cookbook!”
That idea stuck with me and it sparked the creation of my first book: A Parrot's Fine Cuisine Cookbook and Nutritional Guide. I was just a parrot mum trying to make a difference, sharing everything I had learned along the way.
My aim was to highlight the significance of providing a healthy, diverse diet & enrichment by offering natural food. Driven by a passion for parrot health and enrichment, and the book's success I then launched Polly’s Natural Parrot Boutique in 2019 to further that mission. Our cornerstone product — organic avian herbal teas — was born.
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in avian care - Dr Jason Crean, MS Bio, EdD, degreed biologist, an avid aviculturist and certified avian specialist and president of The Avicultural Society of Chicagoland in the US; his valued expertise in avian nutrition has aided us in the understanding of the best suited dietary and nutritional requirements of parrots like Polly. His ideology is centred around promoting the implication of a raw-whole food diet for the animals in our care; helping them to not only survive but to thrive through increasing dietary diversity. This is something I wholeheartedly support.
He is the mastermind behind the development of our unique organic avian herbal teas that can enrich your parrots' quality of life.
Since I first introduced avian herbal teas in the UK and Europe, I decided to explore further and expand the product portfolio by introducing a variety of herbal & dry mixes, edible flowers, soaking & sprouting blends, and freeze-dried food to help you create the most nutritious meals for your flock to help them thrive.
Another invaluable partner I am able to collaborate with is an avian vet specialist Dr. Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DIPL ABVP, whose medical insight always helped me to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our blends.
A few years into my brand, and it began to get recognised. Since then I collaborated with various charities & foundations such as World Parrot Trust, Phoenix Landing Foundation, Parrot Society New Zealand and various small non-profit charities and rescues, various worldwide influencers.
But fast forward to today…
Today, Polly’s Natural Parrot Boutique is a thriving brand with a passionate, loyal customer base. And we couldn’t be more grateful.
My mission remains the same: to help parrots live longer, healthier, and more joyful lives. We’re constantly innovating, improving, and expanding — and we’re so excited for what’s next.
From our flock to yours — thank you for being part of this journey.
All we do revolves around our love for parrots!