WO2012118993A1

WO2012118993A1 - Wild bird food essential nutrition products

Info

Publication number: WO2012118993A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/027323
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kimberly Ann RYGIELSKI; Gretchen Lynn WHITE; Ghislain ROMPRE; Kirk C. KLASING
Original assignee: OMS Investments Inc
Current assignee: OMS Investments Inc
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2012-03-01
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-01

Abstract

Bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, and pressed seed compositions that are intrinsically more nutritious (e.g., comprise essential fatty acids) for desirable birds (e.g., song birds) and which attract more birds than other bird food mixtures. The wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, red millet, and further comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids. The suet composition may comprise tallow and at least one of the following peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, canola oil, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, salt, DL-methionine, or TBCC. The pressed seed composition may comprise peanuts, white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, canary seed, pellets, and seed glue. The pellets may comprise whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika, vitamins, salt, DL-methionine, and TBCC.

Description

WILD BIRD FOOD ESSENTIAL NUTRITION PRODUCTS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/448,055, filed March 1, 201 1, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a wild bird food product that combines natural feed components (e.g., seeds) and a nutritional supplement component. The nutritional supplement provides the balance of the essential nutrition that may be lacking in the natural components.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Wild Bird Food Products

[0003] A variety of wild bird food mixtures are available and comprise varying amounts of different food items typically consumed by birds such as seeds, nuts, fruits, and suet. See e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0127530 and European Patent Application Publication No. EP 0 766 923. Typical wild bird food mixtures comprise 95% grain products by weight (e.g., corn and milo), plus black oil sunflower, and white millet. Many variations of this typical wild bird food mixture exist, as exemplified by WAGNER'S® Greatest Variety bird food mixture, which contains black oil sunflower seed, striped sunflower, and sunflower chips; GRREAT CHOICE® Wild Bird Seed Mix, which contains milo, white millet, and black oil sunflower seeds; and KATYEE® Birders' Blend bird seed mix, which contains sunflower, millet, crack corn, milo, peanuts, hulled sunflower, safflower, and wheat. However, seed mixtures are generally insufficient to maintain optimal health because these blends are high in fat, and low in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Reliance on a seed mixture alone for nutrition may affect reproduction capability, may lead to obesity, a depressed immune response system, and other nutrient deficiency disorders. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0037918.

[0004] Some available bird food mixtures contain nutrition pellets in combination with seeds designed to better provide nutritional needs for caged birds. Certain fortified "premium" seed blends comprise dried fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamins and minerals as a means of improving the nutritional value of the product. See, e.g., Roger Tory Peterson Institute Wild Bird Seed and KATYEE® Wild Bird Ultimate Songbird Food. Current pelleted diets attempt to provide complete nutrition by using a basic combination of cereal grains and vitamin/mineral supplementation. See, e.g., ZuPreem® FruitBlend Flavor Premium Food for Medium to Large Birds, Hartz® Vita-Mix Canary/Finch Diet Bird Food. Other bird food products contain a variety of seeds and fortified pellets. See, e.g., Lafeber's® Classic Nutri- Berries Parrot Food.

[0005] However, to deliver the nutritional benefits , the nutritional supplement component of the feed product must be accepted by the birds. Many blends exhibit decreased palatability and stimulate a low level of interest because the bird does not recognize them as food, does not find their shapes interesting, or does not include the right balance of nutrients. This can lead to "selective feeding" (e.g., picking and choosing which items to eat and which to discard) with improper nutrition resulting as birds are able to choose their preferred food items within the blend. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0037918. With caged birds, acceptance of the feed may be less problematic because the birds have no other choice. In contrast, with wild birds, the nutritional supplement component of the feed product must be designed so that the wild birds choose to eat the bird food product in view of their other food choices.

[0006] Therefore, although various bird food mixtures may provide basic nutrition (e.g., protein, fat, and fiber), there exists a need for a wild bird food mixture that is intrinsically nutritious (e.g., provides essential fatty acids) that the wild birds choose to eat in view of their other food sources.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, the invention provides a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition containing essential nutrition for birds (e.g., essential fatty acids). In another aspect, the invention provides a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition that increases the number of desirable birds available for viewing by bird enthusiasts without regard to the type of bird feeder mechanism used to dispense the food. In another aspect, the invention provides a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition containing essential nutrition (e.g., essential fatty acids) to desirable birds available for observation.

[0008] In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for manufacturing a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition containing essential nutrition (e.g., essential fatty acids). In still another aspect, the invention provides a method for formulating, marketing, and selling a wild bird feed mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition intrinsically more nutritious than seed-only mixtures. [0009] These and other objects of the invention are met by one or more of the following embodiments.

[0010] A wild bird food mixture, in one embodiment of the invention, comprises at least two of the following: black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, or red millet, and further comprises pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.

[0011] A wild bird food mixture, in another embodiment of the invention, comprises black oil sunflower and at least one of the following white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, or red millet, and further comprises pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.

[0012] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 30%- 50% black oil sunflower seeds by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 40, 41 , 42.1 , 42.2, 42.3% black oil sunflower seeds by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%-20% white millet by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 10%, 12%, 16%, 17%, or 19% white millet by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%-15% canary seed by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 7%, 9%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.3%, or 12% canary seed by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 3%-20% peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%, 8%, 10%, or 15% peanuts by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 2%-15% safflower by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%, 6%, 7%, or 8% safflower by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 1 %-10% red millet by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 1 %, 3%, 5%, 7%, or 8% red millet by weight.

[0013] In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 0.1 %-5% calcium carbonate by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 1 %, 1.5%, 1.9%, 2%, or 3% calcium carbonate by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may further comprise a preservative. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 preservatives by weight. In a still further embodiment, the preservative may be citric acid, BHT, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), ethoxyquin, THBQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone), or a mixture thereof. [0014] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%-15% pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 9.6%, 9.7%, 9.8%, 9.9%, or 10% pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids by weight.

[0015] In one embodiment, the pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids may comprise at least two of the following: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, or wheat flour.

[0016] In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 50%-75% whole corn flour by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 60%, 68%, 68.17%, 68.2%, or 68.5% whole corn flour by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise 10%-20% sunflower chips by weight. In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 13%, 14.7%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% sunflower chips by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about l%-5% soybean meal by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 3%, 3.1 %, 3.23%, 3.33%, or 3.4% soybean meal by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 4%-8% wheat flour by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 5%, 6.1 %, 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.5% wheat flour by weight.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein the oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof. In a still further embodiment, the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids. In yet another embodiment, the pellets may comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein the oil is borage oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil (soya oil), wheat germ oil, or a mixture thereof. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein the oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil. In a further embodiment, the combination of essential fatty acids comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. In another embodiment, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is at least about between 1 :1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%). In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise canola oil. In a further embodiment, the pellet may comprise at least about 1%- 10% canola oil by weight. In another embodiment, the pellet may comprise at least about 3%, 4.4%, 4.69%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight. [0018] In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise a food colorant. In one

embodiment, the food colorant may be annatto, cochineal, turmeric, saffron, paprika, or FD&C Red No. 40. In another embodiment, the food colorant may be paprika, optionally a paprika emulsion. In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.5%-3% paprika by weight, optionally the pellets may comprise at least 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.1 %, 1.2%, 1.5%, or 2% paprika by weight.

[0019] In one embodiment, the pellets may further comprise at least one of the following: vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).

[0020] In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %— 5% vitamins by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.74%, 0.75%, or 0.76% vitamins by weight. In another embodiment, the vitamins comprise vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin Bi₂, or mixtures thereof.

[0021] In another embodiment, the pellets may a high level of surface smoothness.

[0022] In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-0.6% salt (e.g., NaCl) by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.54%, 0.55%, or 0.56% salt by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-2.5% limestone by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.2%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, 0.23%, or 0.24% limestone by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-l .5% calcium phosphate by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.13%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% calcium phosphate by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.005%-l .0% DL-methionine by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.05%, 0.055%, 0.057%, 0.058%, or 0.059% DL-methionine by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.01 % manganese oxide by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.005%, 0.007%, 0.008%, 0.009%, or 0.01 % manganese oxide by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% zinc oxide by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.003%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.006%, or 0.007% zinc oxide by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.05% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, 0.0007%, 0.0008%, or 0.0009% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight. [0023] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture comprises at least two different sizes of pellets. In another embodiment, the different sizes of pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 3.7-5.0 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2.7-3.5 mm. In another embodiment, the large pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 4.4 mm. In another embodiment, the small pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 3.1 mm. In another embodiment, the different sizes of pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 4 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2 mm. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise a ration of large and small pellets as described herein. In another embodiment, the ratio of large to small pellets may be a ratio of about 20% large pellets/80% small pellets, 30% large pellets/70% small pellets, 40% large pellets/60% small pellets, 50% large pellets/50% small pellets, or 60% large pellets/40% small pellets. In a further embodiment, the different sizes of pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 4 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2 mm and the ratio of large to small pellets may be a ratio of about 40% large pellets/60% small pellets

[0024] In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof. In still further embodiment, the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids. In yet another embodiment, the pellets may comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil is borage oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil (soya oil), wheat germ oil, or a mixture thereof. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil. In a further embodiment, the combination of essential fatty acids comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. In another embodiment, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%). In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise canola oil. In a further embodiment, the pellet may comprise at least about 1 %-10% canola oil by weight. In another embodiment, the pellet may comprise at least about 3%, 4.4%, 4.69%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight.

[0025] In one embodiment, the invention provides a suet composition comprising tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips), safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).

[0026] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise tallow in an amount at least about 30 -50 by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of tallow is at least about 38%, 40%, or 42% by weight.

[0027] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise peanut pickouts in an amount at least about 1 %-10% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of peanut pickouts is at least about 3.5%, 3.75%, 4.0%, 4.25%, or 4.50% by weight.

[0028] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise peanut meal in an amount at least about l %-20% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of peanut meal is at least about 9%, 10%, or 1 1 % by weight.

[0029] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of white millet is at least about 13%, 14%, or 15% by weight.

[0030] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of red millet is at least about 6%, 7%, 8%, or 9% by weight.

[0031] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips) in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips) is at least about 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, or 9.5% by weight.

[0032] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of safflower is at least about 1.5%, 2%, or 3% by weight.

[0033] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 1 %-20% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 12%, 13%, or 14% by weight.

[0034] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise vitamins, including a mixture of vitamins, in an amount at least about 0.1 %— 5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.10%, 0.1 1 %, or 0.12% by weight. In a further embodiment, the mixture of vitamins comprises vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin Bi₂. [0035] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1 -l .5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 0.9%, 1 %, or 1 .1 % by weight.

[0036] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise salt (e.g., NaCl) in an amount at least about 0.01 %-0.3% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of salt is at least about 0.070%, 0.075%, 0.079%, 0.08%, or 0.085% by weight.

[0037] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise methionine (e.g., DL- methionine) in an amount at least about 0.0005%-0.5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of methionine is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.

[0038] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise zinc oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.01 % by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.0016%, 0.0017%, or 0.0018% by weight.

[0039] In another embodiment, the suet composition may comprise TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.03% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) is at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, or 0.0006% by weight.

[0040] The invention also provides for a pressed seed composition comprising peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids. In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may be in the shape of a cake, disk, cylinder, ring (torus), ball, bell, cake, or star.

[0041] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise peanuts in an amount at least about 5-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of peanuts may be at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanuts by weight, optionally the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanut pickouts by weight.

[0042] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5-20% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of white millet may be at least about 13.5%, 14.1 %, or 15.5% by weight.

[0043] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of red millet may be at least about 3.5%, 4.4%, or 5.5% by weight.

[0044] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 1-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of safflower may be at least about 5.5%, 6.2%, or 6.5% by weight. [0045] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise black oil sunflower in an amount at least about 10-50% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of black oil sunflower may be at least about 35%, 37%, or 40% by weight.

[0046] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1-5% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate may be at least about 1 .0%, 1.7%, or 2% by weight.

[0047] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise canary seed in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of canary seed may be at least about 5%, 9%, or 12% by weight.

[0048] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise seed glue in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of seed glue may be at least about 9%, 12%, or 14% by weight.

[0049] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets of at least two different sizes. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-10% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 1^1 mm average diameter) by weight. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-5% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3-6 mm average diameter) by weight. In a further embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets comprising at least about 5.16% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3.1 mm average diameter) by weight and at least about 3.44% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 4.4 mm average diameter) by weight.

[0050] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a wild bird food mixture comprising combining black oil sunflower seeds, white millet, canary seed, peanut pickouts, safflower, and red millet, and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture. In one embodiment, the method of manufacturing further comprises adding calcium carbonate to the mixture. In another embodiment, the method of manufacturing further comprises adding an oil including essential fatty acids to the mixture, optionally wherein the oil including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof. In a further embodiment, the method of manufacturing further comprises adding an oil including omega-3 fatty acids, optionally wherein the oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil. In another embodiment, the method of manufacturing further comprises adding canola oil.

[0051] In a further embodiment, the method of manufacturing comprises admixing at least one of the following to form pellets: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika, vitamins, salt, limestone calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).

[0052] In a further embodiment, the method of manufacturing comprises admixing tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL- methionine, zinc oxide, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), or an oil including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.

[0053] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides for a method of manufacturing a pressed seed composition comprising admixing peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids. In a further embodiment, the pressed seed composition may be made in the shape of a cake, disk, cylinder, ring (torus), ball, bell, cake, or star.

[0054] In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may further comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, β-carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses, dried papaya, dried coconut, dried pineapple, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, filberts, finch millet, flax seed, folic acid, gelatin, ground wheat, honey, kidney beans, L-lysine, limestone, manganous oxide, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin ), milo, mineral oil, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), mononitrate, niacin, NYJER® seed (niger oilseed), oats (e.g., oat groats, ground oats, oatmeal), oyster shell, paprika, pantothenate, peanuts (e.g., whole shelled peanuts, peanut pieces, peanut meal, peanut pickouts), pecans, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, pine nuts, pinto beans, pistachios, potassium sulfate, a preservative (e.g., citric acid, BHT, TBHQ, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols (e.g., vitamin E), BHA, ethoxyquin, or a mixture thereof), probiotics (e.g., dried Bacillus coagulans [fermentation product], dried Bacillus licheniformis [fermentation product], dried Bacillus subtilis [fermentation product]), pumpkin seeds, pyridoxine hydrochloride, raisins, raspberries, red millet, riboflavin, safflower, salt (e.g., NaCl), vitamin mixture (e.g., a mixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin Bn), sodium selenite, sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), sodium selenite, soy oil, soybean meal, spirulina, squash seeds, striped sunflower, suet, sunflower chips, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), thiamine, tocopherols (e.g., mixed tocopherols), vegetable oil, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, walnuts, wheat (e.g._t wheat germ meal), white millet, whole dried egg, or zinc oxide.

[0055] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bn, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate. In a further embodiment, the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.

[0056] In one aspect, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the wild bird food mixture described herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the pellets described herein. In further embodiment, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the suet composition described herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the pressed seed composition described herein.

[0057] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.

[0058] In a further aspect, the invention provides for a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture of described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In another embodiment, a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In another embodiment, a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the suet composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In another embodiment, a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In one embodiment, a bird that consumes a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may lay more eggs as compared to birds not consuming said wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition. In another embodiment, the bird may have better egg coloring. In another embodiment, the bird may have larger egg size. In another embodiment, the bird may lay firmer egg shells. In another embodiment, the bird may have more nutrition in the egg yolk.

[0059] In a further aspect, the invention provides for a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In one embodiment, a bird that consumes wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions described herein may lay more eggs as compared to birds not consuming said wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions. In another embodiment, the bird may have better egg pigmentation. In another embodiment, the bird may have larger egg size. In another embodiment, the bird may lay eggs with thicker shells. In another embodiment, the bird may have more nutrition in the egg yolk (e.g., higher level of retinol, zinc, and manganese in yolk). In a further embodiment, the bird that consumes the wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions described herein may have improvement in feathering, immunity, bone health, vision, or energy production.

[0060] The foregoing and other objects and aspects of the present invention are explained in greater detail in reference to the description set forth herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Figure 1 depicts a oneway analysis of the total percentage of consumption of pellets.

[0062] Figure 2 depicts a oneway analysis of the total percentage of consumption of pellets by formula.

[0063] Figure 3 depicts the proportion of trials per mixture tested. Sample sizes are also included.

[0064] Figure 4 depicts a minitab boxplot presenting the proportion of pellets remaining in the blend for the trials with remaining food as a function of the Test Formula (10%, 15%, or 20% pellets inclusion rate). Trials with complete consumption were excluded to show better the directional differences (trend in data).

[0065] Figure 5 depicts a minitable boxplot presenting the proportion of pellets remaining in the blend for trials with remaining food as a function of the Test Formula (10%, 15%, or 20% pellets inclusion rate). This graph shows all trials including complete consumption to show the overall variability of the data according to the different test formulas.

[0066] Figure 6 depicts a Minitab boxplot showing the percentage of pellets remaining per size.

[0067] Figure 7 depicts a Minitab boxplot showing the total pellets consumed (g) between FM Browns®, Kaytee®, ENsmall, and ENlarge.

[0068] Figure 8 depicts the change in the proportion of pellets consumed in FM Browns®, Kaytee®, and an exemplary wild bird food mixture ("WBF mixture") described herein.

[0069] Figure 9 depicts the change in the increase percentage of proportion of pellets consumed in FM Browns®, Kaytee®, and an exemplary wild bird food mixture ("WBF mixture") described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0070] The invention relates to defined bird food mixtures that provide essential nutrition (e.g., essential fatty acids) to wild birds. In particular, the invention relates to a wild bird food mixture comprising various amounts of black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, and red millet in addition to pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids comprising corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, and TBCC (tribasic copper chloride). The invention also provides pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids that may comprise at least two of the following: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, or wheat flour and further comprising at least one of the following: vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride). The invention further provides a suet composition comprising tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips (e.g. , fine sunflower chips), safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride). The invention also provides for a pressed seed composition comprising peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids. [0071] Surprisingly, it has been found that wild birds select the more nutritious wild bird food mixtures described herein over other bird foods available to them. Further, the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein are designed to provide essential nutrition to wild birds, in contrast with commercially available bird food mixtures which are formulated based on the diets of caged birds (which differ from wild birds).

[0072] Unless otherwise indicated, all terms used herein have the same meaning as they would to one skilled in the art.

Avian Nutrition

[0073] Birds require at least 38 nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, amino acids) in their diets in appropriate concentrations and balance. Birds can select between different food items in order to obtain enough metabolizable energy, essential amino acids, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus to meet their requirements. See Klasing Diseases of Poultry (2008) Chapter 29: "Nutritional Diseases" pages 1125-1152. In general, birds have weak or zero ability to select between food items to obtain the correct amount of micronutrients. Thus, a wild bird food mixture should have adequate levels of micronutrients to provide essential nutrition to birds. The estimated amino acid, vitamin, and mineral requirements of wild granivorous and omnivorous birds are based on data collected from captive feeding trials using predominantly white crowned sparrows, zebra finches, and dark eyed juncos. See Table 1. Comparison of these requirements to the levels of these nutrients provided in common seeds, such as corn, millet, canary seed, and sunflower seeds indicate deficiencies in vitamins A, E, thiamin, niacin, biotin, Bi₂, methionine, lysine, zinc and calcium. See, e.g., Ullrey, et al. (1991 )

Journal Of Nutrition 121 : S193-S205: NRC. 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry:

Purushothaman & Thirumalai (1995) Indian Veterinary Journal 72: 705-708; Murphy (1996) "Nutrition and Metabolism" In: Carey, C. (Ed.), Avian energetics and nutritional ecology. Chapman & Hall, New York, pages 31-61 and Klasing (1998) Comparative Avian Nutrition.

TABLE 1: Summar of the nutritional re uirements of wild and ca ed birds

[0074] Lysine— Grains such as corn, millet, and canary seed are deficient in lysine and may be supplemented unless animal protein is added to the diet. Lysine may be provided as L- lysine-HCl and the L isoform is used because the D-form has zero bioavailability. [0075] Methionine— Sunflower, which may be the primary protein source in bird foods, is deficient in methionine. Thus, methionine (e.g., DL-methionine) may be supplemented to diets that use sunflower as the primary source of protein.

[0076] Calcium— All seeds are marginally deficient in calcium and calcium deficiency is commonly reported by wildlife veterinarians as a problem in wild birds. Natural sources of calcium are depleted in some areas of the United States and Canada due to acidic rain. Thus, calcium may be supplemented to seed-based bird foods. Calcium may be provided as limestone (CaC0₃) because this form is highly bioavailable, not hygroscopic, and non- oxidative.

[0077] Manganese— Seeds contain high levels of phytate, which binds manganese, copper, and zinc, and makes such nutrients nutritionally unavailable to birds. Manganese may be supplemented as manganese oxide, which is a mixture of MnO and Mn₃C¼. Although manganese oxide has only about 85% of the bioavailability of MnS0₄ and Mn-chelates, it does not oxidize vitamins as readily and is preferred for diets that are stored prior to feeding.

[0078] Zinc— Zinc may be supplemented as zinc oxide (ZnO). Chelates, complexes, and salts of zinc are more bioavailable but may cause oxidation problems with long term storage.

[0079] Copper— Copper may be supplemented as cuprous oxide (Cu₂0). Cupric oxide (CuO) should not be used because it is completely unavailable to birds. Chelates, complexes, and salts of copper are more bioavailable than cuprous oxide but may not be suitable for long term storage. For example, copper may be supplemented as tribasic copper chloride (TBCC).

[0080] Vitamin A— Seeds are deficient in vitamin A, which may be supplemented as retinyl acetate in beadlet form (e.g., Rovimix® (stabilized forms of vitamin A as beadlets coated with a gelatine-starch mixture) because it is highly bioavailable and relatively stable in the diet.

[0081] Vitamin E— Grains are low in vitamin E, which may be supplemented as dl-a- Tocopheryl acetate - stabilized (e.g. , Rovimix® (stabilized forms of vitamin E as beadlets coated with a gelatine-starch mixture)) because it is highly bioavailable and relatively stable in the diet.

[0082] Biotin— Biotin in mature seeds has poor bioavailability and may be supplemented as d-biotin because of its good bioavailability.

[0083] Pantothenic acid— Pantothenic acid is low in most seeds and may be supplemented as calcium d-pantothenate because of its good bioavailability. [0084] Riboflavin— Mature seeds are low in riboflavin and many highly bioavailable riboflavin salts are available. Riboflavin 5'-phosphate sodium shows an excellent combination of bioavailability and stability.

[0085] Vitamin B₁₂— Vitamin B12 is absent from seeds and may be supplemented in seed mixtures (e.g., cobalamin).

[0086] Essential Fatty Acids— The bird food mixtures described herein typically comprise fatty acids. Fatty acids are carboxlyic acids with hydrocarbon tails. Long hydrocarbon chains are considered in the art to be hydrocarbon chains having 16 carbons or longer. The long-chain hydrocarbon tail can be either saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (containing double bonds). See Simopoulos (2002) Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 56(8): 365-379.

[0087] Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) occur in two families, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond three carbons away from the "omega" carbon. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from linolenic acid. Omega-6 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond six carbons away from the "omega" carbon. Omega-6 fatty acids are derived from linoleic acid. These two essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, are important in the diet of birds. Butcher and Miles (1993) "Understanding Pet Bird Nutrition" Institute of Food and Agricultural Services, University of Florida publication. However, essential fatty acids may not be readily available to wild birds. Also, most commercially available bird foods base their compositions on the diets of caged not wild birds. Wild birds has different nutritional needs and a generally higher caloric requirement because of the amount of energy expended. Further, the instant invention provides a means for delivering the essential fatty acids to wild birds in such a form as they will select and consume it.

[0088] Sources of essential fatty acids (e.g., co-3 and co-6) include but are not limited to avocados, borage oil, Brazil nuts, canola oil (e.g., cold-pressed and unrefined), chestnut oil, chia seeds, dark leafy green vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach, purslane, mustard greens, collards), evening primrose oil, flaxseed (linseed), flaxseed meal, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, hempseeds, olive oil, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybean oil (soya oil), sunflower seeds, walnuts, wheat germ oil, and mixtures thereof.

[0089] Oils that include essential fatty acids include but are not limited to algae oil, borage oil, canola oil (e.g., cold-pressed and unrefined), chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil (soya oil), wheat germ oil, and mixtures thereof.

[0090] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture of the present invention comprises at least one source of essential fatty acids. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture comprises at least one source of an omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid. In a further embodiment, the wild bird food mixture comprises at least one source of an omega-3 fatty acid and at least one source of an omega-6 fatty acid.

[0091] The wild bird food mixtures described herein may be formulated to meet or exceed nutritional requirements for maintenance and molt (See Table 1 ), and the ingredients in this mixture may be of excellent quality. As such, birds fed with a diet of the wild bird food mixtures of the present invention may have greater weight, feather quality, immune response, hematocrits and hemoglobin than birds fed a seed-only diet. Birds fed with the wild bird food mixtures described herein lay eggs sooner and their eggs have stronger shells and higher levels of crucial nutrients. Thus, the inventors surprisingly found that birds who consume the bird food mixtures described herein lay more eggs (larger clutch size or more chicks), have better egg coloring, larger egg size (including white albumen not only the yolk), better egg pigmentation, higher level of retinol, zinc, and manganese in yolk, thicker egg shells, and the last eggs produced have a shell (as opposed to shell-less eggs) than birds who consume bird food without the nutrient rich pellets described herein.

Colorants

[0092] Colorants (color agents) may be added to the pellets to make the wild bird food mixture more attractive to consumers. For example, paprika may be added to give the wild bird food mixture (including the pellets) a reddish-orange color. Other food colorants include but are not limited to natural food coloring including but not limited to caramel coloring [E150] (e.g., caramel color), annatto [E160b] (e.g., a reddish-orange dye made from achiote seed), cochineal [El 20] (a red dye derived from the cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus), betanin (beet extract), turmeric [El 00] (curcuminoids), saffron [El 60a]

(carotenoids), and paprika [E160c]. Food colorants also include artificial food dyes, FD&C Red No. 40 - Allura Red AC [El 29] (red shade), FD&C Red No. 3 - Erythrosine [El 27] (pink shade), FD&C Yellow No. 5 - Tartrazine, [E102] (yellow shade), and FD&C Yellow No. 6 - Sunset Yellow FCF [El 10] (orange shade). These FD&Cs are known as "primary colors" and may be mixed to produce other colors ("secondary colors".) The wild bird food mixture (and pellets) described herein may be any shade of brown, orange, yellow, red, or reddish-orange. For example, a paprika emulsion may be added to the pellets to produce an orange-reddish color that may potentially be more attractive to consumers.

Desirable Birds

[0093] The wild bird food mixtures may be consumed by desirable birds. Desirable birds may be song birds. In addition, other species (e.g., doves, pheasants, quail, woodpeckers) which may not be considered "song birds" may be still considered desirable birds by those who like to feed and watch birds. Additionally, desirable birds may be identified by examining bird-watching studies, including those conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) website to first determine desirable birds. See, e.g., Igl, Lawrence D. 1996. Bird Checklists of the United States. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. Exemplary desirable birds include but are not limited to American Goldfinch, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, Band- tailed Pigeon, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Cactus Wren, California Quail, California Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Cassin's Finch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Chipping Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Towhee, Evening Grosbeak, Field Sparrow, Gambel's Quail, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, House Finch, Inca Dove, Lesser Goldfinch, Mountain Chickadee, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker, Northern Mockingbird, Oak Titmouse, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Pyrrhuloxia, Red- bellied Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ring-necked Pheasant, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Steller's Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Western Scrub- Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. See also The Birds of North America (1996) series published by the Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, PA) and the American Ornithologists' Union (Washington, D.C.), for information that may be taken into consideration when designating birds as desirable birds and creating different assemblages of desirable birds.

Bird food mixtures

[0094] The wild bird food mixture of the present invention may comprise various amounts of black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, red millet, and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids. The pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids may also comprise various amounts whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, and TBCC (tribasic copper chloride). The wild bird food mixture may further comprise a preservative. [0095] In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, β-carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses, dried papaya, dried coconut, dried pineapple, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, filberts, finch millet, flax seed, folic acid, gelatin, ground wheat, honey, kidney beans, L-lysine, limestone, manganous oxide, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), milo, mineral oil, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), mononitrate, niacin, NYJER® seed (niger oilseed), oats (e.g., oat groats, ground oats, oatmeal), oyster shell, paprika, pantothenate, peanuts (e.g., whole shelled peanuts, peanut pieces, peanut meal, peanut pickouts), pecans, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, pine nuts, pinto beans, pistachios, potassium sulfate, a preservative (e.g., citric acid, BHT, TBHQ, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols (e.g., vitamin E), BHA, ethoxyquin, or a mixture thereof), probiotics (e.g., dried Bacillus coagulans [fermentation product], dried Bacillus licheniformis [fermentation product], dried Bacillus subtilis [fermentation product]), pumpkin seeds, pyridoxine hydrochloride, raisins, raspberries, red millet, riboflavin, safflower, salt (e.g., NaCl), vitamin mixture (e.g., a mixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B₁₂), sodium selenite, sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), sodium selenite, soy oil, soybean meal, spirulina, squash seeds, striped sunflower, suet, sunflower chips, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), thiamine, tocopherols (e.g., mixed tocopherols), vegetable oil, vitamin A, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, vitamin E, walnuts, wheat (e.g., wheat germ meal), white millet, whole dried egg, or zinc oxide.

[0096] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate. In a further embodiment, the wild bird food mixture described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bi₂, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.

[0097] In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a particular embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another particular embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.

[0098] The wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 , 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001% by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001 , 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01 % by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.057, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight. The wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1 , 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21 , 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51 , 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1 .75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40, 6.45, 6.50, 6.75, 7.0, 7.25, 7.50, 7.75, by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 11, 11.25, 11.50, 11.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, or 20% by weight. In further embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 20, 20.25, 20.50, 20.75, 21 , 21 .25, 21.50, 21.75, 22, 22.25, 22.50, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.50, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.50, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.50, 25.75, 26, 26.25, 26.50, 26.75, 27, 27.25, 27.50, 27.75, 28, 28.25, 28.50, 28.75, 29, 29.25, 29.50, 29.75, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1 , 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.1 1 , 68.12, 68.13, 68.14, 68.15, 68.16, 68.17, 68.20, 68.25, 68.4, 68.50, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, or 80% by weight.

[0099] The wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001%-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%- 0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50 -1.0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another

embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.

[0100] The wild bird food mixture may also comprise a mixture of different forms of these components. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise individual components and pellets.

[0101] The wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 40%^15% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 40%, 41 %, 42%, 42.10%, or 42.25% by weight.

[0102] The wild bird food mixture may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 15%-17% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of white millet is at least about 15%, 15.5%, 15.75%, 16%, or 17% by weight.

[0103] The wild bird food mixture may comprise canary seed in an amount at least about 9%-l 1 % by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of canary seed is at least about 9.5%, 10%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.25%, or 1 1 % by weight.

[0104] The wild bird food mixture may comprise peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 7%-9% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) is at least about 7.5%, 7.75%, 8.0%, or 8.25% by weight.

[0105] The wild bird food mixture may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 6%- 8% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of safflower is at least about 6.5%, 7%, or 7.5% by weight.

[0106] The wild bird food mixture may comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids is at least about 9.25%, 9.50%, 9.60%, 9.70%, 9.80%, 9.90%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight.

[0107] The wild bird food mixture may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 4%- 6% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of red millet is at least about 4.5%, 5%, or 5.5% by weight.

[0108] The wild bird food mixture may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about l %-2% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 1.50%, 1.70%, 1 .80%, 1.90%, or 2.0% by weight.

[0109] The wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 30-50% by weight, white millet in an amount at least about 10-30% by weight, canary seed in an amount at least about 5-20%, peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 5-15% by weight, safflower in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 5-15% by weight, and red millet in an amount at least about 1-10%. The wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about l %-3% by weight.

[0110] The wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 41.0%, 41.10%, 42.15%, 41 .20%, or 41.25% by weight, white millet in an amount at least about 10%, 15.5%, 16%, 16.5%, or 17% by weight, canary seed in an amount at least about 9%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.3%, or 10.5%, peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 7.0%, 7.5%, 8.0%, 8.25%, 8.5%, or 9% by weight, safflower in an amount at least about 6%, 6.5%, 7%, or 7.5% by weight, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 9%, 9.6%, 9.8%, 9.9%, or 10% by weight, red millet in an amount at least about 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, or 6% by weight. The wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate in an amount of at least about 1.50%, 1.80%, 1.90%, 2.0%, or 2.1 % by weight.

[0111] The wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 42.10% by weight, white millet in an amount at least about 16% by weight, canary seed in an amount at least about 10.20% by weight, peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 8% by weight, safflower in an amount at least about 7% by weight, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 9.80% by weight, red millet in an amount at least about 5% by weight. The wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate in an amount of at least about 1.90% by weight. Pellets

[0112] The invention also provides for pellets comprising an oil that includes essential fatty acids (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or combinations thereof)- The inventors surprisingly discovered that, in one embodiment, a mixture of two different sizes of roughly spherical pellets (e.g., about 3.1 mm and 4.4 mm in average diameter) present in a ratio of 60% small (e.g. , 3.1 mm) to 40% large (e.g. , 4.4 mm) is more attractive to birds and attracts a broader range of birds. Further, the reddish orange color of these pellets may be attractive to consumers.

[0113] The pellets may be ovate, elliptical, rosette, or spherical in shape. The pellets may be spherical in shape and have an average diameter of at least about 1.0, 1.25, 1 .50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.7, 2.75, 3.0, 3.1 , 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.7, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.40, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40. 6.45, 6.50, 6.75, 7.0, 7.25, 7.50, 7.75, 8.0, 8.25, 8.50, 8.75, 9.0, 9.25, 9.50, 9.75, or 10 mm. In another embodiment, the pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 1-6 mm, 2-4 mm, 2.7-3.5 mm, 3.7-5.0 mm, or 3-6 mm. In a further embodiment, the pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm. The pellets may have a high level of surface smoothness. The pellets may also be colored (e.g., reddish orange color) by the inclusion of food colorants (e.g., paprika).

[0114] The wild bird food mixture may also comprise a mixture of pellets of different sizes. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least two, three, four, or five of the different sizes of pellets described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the different sizes of pellets described herein.

[0115] The wild bird food mixture may comprise a ratio of at least two different sizes of pellets by weight. The wild bird food mixture may comprise a ratio of small to large pellets. The ratio of smalklarge pellets may be at least about 10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, or 80/20%. For example, the wild bird food mixture may comprise 60% small pellets (e.g., about 3.1 mm in average diameter) and 40% large pellets (e.g. , about 4.4 mm in average diameter). The wild bird food mixture may comprise 60% small pellets (e.g., about 2 mm in average diameter) and 40% large pellets (e.g., about 4 mm in average diameter).

[0116] Also, the pellets may have a high level of surface smoothness ("smooth") or a low level of surface smoothness ("rough"). The inventors surprising discovered that a generally spherical pellet with a high level of surface smoothness ("smooth") resulted in a higher than expected level of acceptance by desirable wild birds than rough pellets. Thus, the texture of the pellet may be important for selection and consumption by birds.

[0117] The pellets may comprise any of the aforementioned components and in any of the aforementioned amounts. Further, the pellets of the present invention may comprise various amounts of whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, a preservative, paprika, vitamins (e.g., a vitamin mixture), salt (e.g., NaCl), limestone, calcium phosphate, DL-methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, red millet, or calcium carbonate.

[0118] The pellets may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, β-carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses, dried papaya, dried coconut, dried pineapple, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, filberts, finch millet, flax seed, folic acid, gelatin, ground wheat, honey, kidney beans, L-lysine, limestone, manganous oxide, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), milo, mineral oil, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), mononitrate, niacin, NYJER® seed (niger oilseed), oats (e.g., oat groats, ground oats, oatmeal), oyster shell, paprika, pantothenate, peanuts (e.g., whole shelled peanuts, peanut pieces, peanut meal, peanut pickouts), pecans, pine nuts, pinto beans, pistachios, potassium sulfate, a preservative (e.g., citric acid, BHT, TBHQ, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols (e.g., Vitamin E), BHA, ethoxyquin, or a mixture thereof), probiotics (e.g., dried Bacillus coagulans [fermentation product], dried Bacillus licheniformis [fermentation product], dried Bacillus subtilis [fermentation product]), pumpkin seeds, pyridoxine hydrochloride, raisins, raspberries, red millet, riboflavin, safflower, salt (e.g., NaCl), vitamin mixture (e.g., a mixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B₁₂), sodium selenite, sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), sodium selenite, soy oil, soybean meal, spirulina, squash seeds, striped sunflower, suet, sunflower chips, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), thiamine, vegetable oil, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, walnuts, wheat (e.g.₃ wheat germ meal), white millet, whole dried egg, or zinc oxide. [0119] In one embodiment, the pellets described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B i₂, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate. In a further embodiment, the pellets described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin !½, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine,

methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine,

phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.

[0120] The pellets may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a particular embodiment, the pellets may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another particular embodiment, the pellets may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.

[0121] The pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 , 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001 % by weight. In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01 , 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight. The pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40, 6.45, 6.50, 6.75, 7.0, 7.25, 7.50, 7.75, 8.0, 8.25, 8.50, 8.75, 9.0, 9.25, 9.50, 9.75, or 10% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 11 , 1 1.25, 1 1.50, 1 1.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, or 20% by weight. In further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 20, 20.25, 20.50, 20.75, 21, 21.25, 21.50, 21.75, 22, 22.25, 22.50, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.50, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.50, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.50, 25.75, 26, 26.25, 26.50, 26.75, 27, 27.25, 27.50, 27.75, 28, 28.25, 28.50, 28.75, 29, 29.25, 29.50, 29.75, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.11 , 68.12, 68.13, 68.14, 68.15, 68.16, 68.17, 68.20, 68.25, 68.4, 68.50, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, or 80% by weight.

[0122] The pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001%-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50%-1.0%, l%-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.

[0123] The pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001%-0.005% 0.01%-0.05%, 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50%-1.0%, l%-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.

[0124] The pellets may comprise whole corn flour in an amount at least about 68%-69% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of whole corn flour is at least about 68.10%, 68.17%, 68.20%, 68.25%, or 68.50% by weight.

[0125] The pellets may comprise sunflower chips in an amount at least about 14%— 15% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of sunflower chips is at least about 14.5%, 14.6%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% by weight.

[0126] The pellets may comprise soybean meal in an amount at least about 3%-4% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of soybean meal is at least about 3.10%, 3.22%, 3.23%, 3.24%, or 3.25% by weight.

[0127] The pellets may comprise wheat flour in an amount at least about 6%-7% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of wheat flour is at least about 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.6% by weight. [0128] The pellets may comprise canola oil in an amount at least about 4%-5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of canola oil is at least about 4.50%, 4.60%, 4.68%, 4.69%, or 4.70% by weight.

[0129] The pellets may comprise a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. In another embodiment, the combination may be a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. In another embodiment, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is from at least about 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%). In a further

embodiment, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is from at least about 1 : 1 , 2: 1 , 3: 1 , 4: 1 , 5: 1 , 6: 1 , 7: 1 , 8: 1 , 9: 1 , or 10: 1.

[0130] The pellets may comprise paprika in an amount at least about 0.9%-2% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of paprika is at least about 0.75%, 0.9%, 1 .0%, 1 .1 %, or 1.2% by weight.

[0131] The pellets may comprise vitamins, including a mixture of vitamins (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B₁₂), in an amount at least about 0.70%-0.90% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.72%, 0.74%, or 0.75% by weight.

[0132] The pellets may comprise salt (e.g., NaCl) in an amount at least about 0.5%-0.6% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of salt is at least about 0.50%, 0.51 %, 0.52%, 0.54%, or 0.56% by weight.

[0133] The pellets may comprise limestone in an amount at least about 0.1 %— 2.5 % by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of limestone is at least about 0.20%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, or 0.23% by weight.

[0134] The pellets may comprise calcium phosphate in an amount at least about 0.1 %-1 .5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of calcium phosphate is at least about 0.12%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% by weight.

[0135] The pellets may comprise methionine (e.g., DL-methionine) in an amount at least about 0.005%-l .0% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of methionine is at least about 0.050%, 0.052%, 0.054%, 0.057%, or 0.058% by weight.

[0136] The pellets may comprise manganese oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %- 0.1 % by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of manganese oxide is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.

[0137] The pellets may comprise zinc oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.004%, 0.005%, or 0.006% by weight. [0138] The pellets may comprise TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.05% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) is at least about 0.0006%, 0.0007%, or 0.0008% by weight.

[0139] The pellets may comprise paprika (e.g., a paprika emulsion) in an amount at least about 0.5%-2% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of paprika is at least about 0.75%, 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.1 %, or 1.2% by weight.

Suet

[0140] The invention also provides for a formulation of a suet form in which the nutrients are dispersed within a solid phase of an animal fat (e.g., tallow, lard) or vegetable shortening.

[0141] The suet may comprise any of the aforementioned components and in any of the aforementioned amounts. Further, the suet of the present invention may comprise tallow and various amounts of at least one of the following peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips), a preservative, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins (e.g., a mixture of vitamins), calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride). See Table 2.

TABLE 2 Exemplary Suet Composition

[0142] In another embodiment, the suet may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, β-carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses, dried papaya, dried coconut, dried pineapple, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, filberts, finch millet, flax seed, folic acid, gelatin, ground wheat, honey, kidney beans, L-lysine, limestone, manganous oxide, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), milo, mineral oil, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), mononitrate, niacin, NYJER® seed (niger oilseed), oats (e.g., oat groats, ground oats, oatmeal), oyster shell, paprika, pantothenate, peanuts (e.g., whole shelled peanuts, peanut pieces, peanut meal, peanut pickouts), pecans, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, pine nuts, pinto beans, pistachios, potassium sulfate, a preservative (e.g., citric acid, BHT, TBHQ, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols (e.g., vitamin E), BHA, ethoxyquin, or a mixture thereof), probiotics (e.g., dried Bacillus coagulans [fermentation product], dried Bacillus licheniformis [fermentation product], dried Bacillus subtilis [fermentation product]), pumpkin seeds, pyridoxine hydrochloride, raisins, raspberries, red millet, riboflavin, safflower, salt (e.g., NaCl), vitamin mixture (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and Vitamin B12), sodium selenite, sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), sodium selenite, soy oil, soybean meal, spirulina, squash seeds, striped sunflower, sunflower chips, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), thiamine, vegetable oil, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, walnuts, wheat (e.g., wheat germ meal), white millet, whole dried egg, or zinc oxide.

[0143] In one embodiment, the suet described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate. In a further embodiment, the suet described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine,

phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.

[0144] In yet another embodiment, the suet may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a preferred embodiment, the suet may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another preferred embodiment, the suet may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.

[0145] The suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001 % by weight. In one embodiment, the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001, 0.0017, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01 % by weight. In another embodiment, the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01 , 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.079, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight. The suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1 , 0.1 1 , 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21 , 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1 .0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40, 6.45, 6.50, 6.75, 7.0, 7.25, 7.50, 7.75, 8.0, 8.25, 8.50, 8.75, 9, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, or 10% by weight. In yet another embodiment, the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 11, 1 1.25, 11.50, 1 1.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.1 1 , 68.12, 68.13, 68.14, 68.15, 68.16, 68.17, 68.20, 68.25, 68.4, 68.50, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, or 80% by weight.

[0146] The suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001 %-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%- 0.50%, 0.50%-1.0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%- 30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.

[0147] The suet may comprise tallow in an amount at least about 30%-50% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of tallow is at least about 38%, 40%, or 42% by weight.

[0148] The suet may comprise peanut pickouts in an amount at least about 1 %-10% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of peanut pickouts is at least about 3.5%, 3.75%, 4.0%, 4.25%, or 4.50% by weight.

[0149] The suet may comprise peanut meal in an amount at least about 1 %-20% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of peanut meal is at least about 9%, 10%, or 1 1 % by weight.

[0150] The suet may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of white millet is at least about 13%, 14%, or 15% by weight.

[0151] The suet may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of red millet is at least about 6%, 7%, 8%, or 9% by weight.

[0152] The suet may comprise sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips) in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips) is at least about 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, or 9.5% by weight.

[0153] The suet may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 0.1 %— 5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of safflower is at least about 1.5%, 2%, or 3% by weight.

[0154] The suet may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about l %-20% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 12%, 13%, or 14% by weight.

[0155] The suet may comprise vitamins, including a mixture of vitamins (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B₁₂), in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.10%, 0.1 1 %, or 0.12% by weight.

[0156] The suet may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1 %-l .5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 0.9%, 1 %, or 1 .1 % by weight. [0157] The suet may comprise salt (e.g., NaCl) in an amount at least about 0.01 %-0.3% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of salt is at least about 0.075%, 0.079%, or 0.08% by weight.

[0158] The suet may comprise methionine (e.g., DL- methionine) in an amount at least about 0.0005%-0.5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of methionine is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.

[0159] The suet may comprise zinc oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.0016%, 0.0017%, or 0.0018% by weight.

[0160] The suet may comprise TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in an amount at least about

0.0001 %-0.03% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of TBCC (Tribasic

Copper Chloride) is at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, or 0.0006% by weight.

[0161] The suet composition may be at least about 100 125, 150, 175, 200 225, 250, 275,

300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725,

750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975, or 1 ,000 g in weight. The suet composition may be 304, 311, 340, or 375 g in weight (e.g., 10.75, 11, 12, or 13.25 ounces).

[0162] Suet may attract desirable birds including but not limited to woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds, mockingbirds, warblers, kinglets, titmice, nuthatches, jays, robins, and wrens.

Pressed Seed Composition

[0163] The invention also provides for a pressed seed composition comprising peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids. The pressed seed composition may comprise white millet, black oil sunflower, safflower, peanuts, raisins, striped sunflower, sunflower chips, red millet, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids.

[0164] The seed ratios may be substantially similar to those included in the wild bird food mixture described herein with the amounts adjusted to comprise at least about 88% by weight of the final composition as the glue is the remaining at least about 12% by weight.

[0165] Any commercially available pressed seed glue may be used. For example, the pressed seed glue may comprise a water based adhesive system containing collagen, technical gelatin, glycerin and corn syrup. The pressed seed glue may comprise cup flour, water, corn syrup, and plain gelatin or water, corn syrup, white vinegar, and cornstarch.

[0166] The pressed seed composition may be in the shape of a cake, disk, cylinder, ring

(torus), ball, bell, cake, or star. [0167] The pressed seed composition may comprise peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 5-10% by weight. The amount of peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) may be at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanuts by weight, optionally the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanut pickouts by weight.

[0168] The pressed seed composition may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5-20% by weight. The amount of white millet may be at least about 13.5%, 14.1 %, or 15.5% by weight.

[0169] The pressed seed composition may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1- 10% by weight. The amount of red millet may be at least about 3.5%, 4.4%, or 5.5% by weight.

[0170] The pressed seed composition may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 1 - 10% by weight. The amount of safflower may be at least about 5.5%, 6.2%, or 6.5% by weight.

[0171] The pressed seed composition may comprise black oil sunflower in an amount at least about 10-50% by weight. The amount of black oil sunflower may be at least about 35%, 37%, or 40% by weight.

[0172] The pressed seed composition may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1 -5% by weight. The amount of calcium carbonate may be at least about 1 .0%, 1.7%, or 2% by weight.

[0173] The pressed seed composition may comprise canary seed in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight. The amount of canary seed may be at least about 5%, 9%, or 12% by weight.

[0174] The pressed seed composition may comprise seed glue in an amount at least about 1- 15% by weight. The amount of seed glue may be at least about 9%, 12%, or 14% by weight.

[0175] The pressed seed composition may comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 5-15% by weight. The amount of pellets may be at least about 7.5%, 8.6%, 9.5%, or 10% by weight. The pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets of at least two different sizes. The pressed seed composition may comprise a ratio of two different sizes of pellets, for example 60% small pellets to 40% large pellets. The pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-10% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about \- mm average diameter) by weight. The pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-5% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3-6 mm average diameter) by weight. The pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets comprising at least about 5.16% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3.1 mm average diameter) by weight and at least about 3.44% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 4.4 mm average diameter) by weight.

[0176] In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, β-carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g. , in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g. , crypto xanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses, dried papaya, dried coconut, dried pineapple, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, filberts, finch millet, flax seed, folic acid, gelatin, ground wheat, honey, kidney beans, L-lysine, limestone, manganous oxide, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K), milo, mineral oil, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), mononitrate, niacin, NYJER® seed (niger oilseed), oats (e.g., oat groats, ground oats, oatmeal), oyster shell, paprika, pantothenate, peanuts (e.g., whole shelled peanuts, peanut pieces, peanut meal, peanut pickouts), pecans, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, pine nuts, pinto beans, pistachios, potassium sulfate, a preservative (e.g., citric acid, BHT, TBHQ, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols (e.g., Vitamin E), BHA, ethoxyquin, or a mixture thereof), probiotics (e.g., dried Bacillus coagulans [fermentation product], dried Bacillus licheniformis [fermentation product], dried Bacillus subtilis [fermentation product]), pumpkin seeds, pyridoxine hydrochloride, raisins, raspberries, red millet, riboflavin, safflower, salt (e.g., NaCl), vitamin mixture (e.g., a mixture of vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin Bn), sodium selenite, sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin ), sodium selenite, soy oil, soybean meal, spirulina, squash seeds, striped sunflower, suet, sunflower chips, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), thiamine, tocopherols (e.g. , mixed tocopherols), vegetable oil, vitamin A, vitamin Bi₂, vitamin D, vitamin E, walnuts, wheat (e.g. wheat germ meal), white millet, whole dried egg, or zinc oxide.

[0177] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin , biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bn, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate. In a further embodiment, the pressed seed composition described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.

[0178] In yet another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a particular embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another particular embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.

[0179] The pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001 % by weight. In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001 , 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01% by weight. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01 , 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.057, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight. The pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1 , 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51 , 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40, 6.45, 6.50, 6.75, 7.0, 7.25, 7.50, 7.75, by weight. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 1 1 , 1 1.25, 1 1.50, 11.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, or 20% by weight. In further embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 20, 20.25, 20.50, 20.75, 21 , 21.25, 21.50, 21 .75, 22, 22.25, 22.50, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.50, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.50, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.50, 25.75, 26, 26.25, 26.50, 26.75, 27, 27.25, 27.50, 27.75, 28, 28.25, 28.50, 28.75, 29, 29.25, 29.50, 29.75, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1 , 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.1 1 , 68.12, 68.13, 68.14, 68.15, 68.16, 68.17, 68.20, 68.25, 68.4, 68.50, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, or 80% by weight.

[0180] The pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001 %-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%- 0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50%-l .0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.

[0181] The pressed seed composition may be at least about 100 125, 150, 175, 200 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975, or 1 ,000 g in weight. The pressed seed composition may be 304, 31 1 , 340, or 375 g in weight (e.g., 10.75, 1 1 , 12, or 13.25 ounces).

Methods

[0182] The wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described of the invention may be produced by a method comprising combining the components described herein in the amounts set forth herein. The invention also provides for a method of feeding birds comprising supplying the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described of the invention. The invention also provides for methods of attracting desirable birds, including but not limited to songbirds, comprising placing the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described as described herein at a location where said desirable birds can find and consume said bird food mixture. The wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described herein may be manufactured according to methods known in the art. For example, the pellets described herein may be manufactured by admixing the ingredients with flour (except paprika, canola oil, and preservatives) then blended and milled to max particle size of 0.01 1 μιτι. This is followed by an extrusion process with pre-conditioner and extruder. The canola oil with preservative and paprika colorant may then be added at the extruder. The die sizes are about 2 mm and 4 mm holes. This is followed by drying and cooling Finally, two sizes of pellets may be mixed together in ratio of 60% small (about 2 mm) and 40% large (about 4 mm).

[0183] The invention provides a method for marketing a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described comprising combining components to manufacture a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described and offering said product for sale. The wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described of the invention may be placed in a container, item, bag, or package. For example, the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described may be packaged for commercial availability.

[0184] The invention provides a method for providing the nutritional requirements of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bi₂, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a wild bird comprising making a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein available to a bird.

[0185] The invention provides a method of manufacturing a wild bird food mixture comprising combining seeds and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture. For example, seeds selected from the group consisting of black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanut pickouts, safflower, and red millet may be combined with pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture, oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof. This oil may include omega-3 fatty acids or a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. The combination may comprise a ratio of omega-6 fatty

acids:omega-3 fatty acids. The ratio of omega-6 fatty acids:omega-3 fatty acids may at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%). Further, the oil including essential fatty acids may be algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil. In one embodiment, the oil may be canola oil. Additionally, calcium carbonate may be added. [0186] The pellet may be manufactured by combining at least one of the following: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika, vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, DL-methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, preservative, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) to form a pellet.

[0187] The suet composition may be manufactured by admixing tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), to form a suet composition.

[0188] The pressed seed composition may be manufactured by admixing black oil sunflower, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, and at least one of the following peanuts, white millet, red millet, safflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, or seed glue to form a pressed seed mixture.

[0189] The invention provides a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the wild bird food mixture described herein at a location where it is available to birds. Further, a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the suet composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.

[0190] The invention provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the suet described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention further provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the suet composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In one embodiment, after consumption of the bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition, the bird may lay more eggs, have better egg coloring, have larger egg size, have firmer egg shells, or produce more nutrition in the egg yolk.

[0191] Further embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples. The examples contained herein are offered by way of illustration and not by any way of limitation.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

Manufacture of Wild Bird Food Mixtures

[0192] Pellets were made by combining whole corn flour, sunflower chips, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika emulsion, vitamin mixture, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, DL- methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, and TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in the amounts shown in Table 3. The ingredients were blended and milled to max particle size of at least about 0.011 microns. The ingredients were subjected to an extrusion process with pre-conditioner and extruder, where the ingredients are ground and then are thoroughly mixed. The canola oil with preservative and paprika colorant were added at the extruder. The mixture was then dried and cooled.

[0193] The pellets were mixed together with the other components to produce a mixture of pellets at a ratio of about 60% small pellets and about 40% large pellets. Three exemplary wild bird food mixture blends are presented in Table 5. The final wild bird food mixture may be bagged and labelled for sale.

[0194] The suet may be manufactured by methods known in the art by adding various amounts of at least one of the following peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, canola oil, a preservative, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins (e.g., a vitamin mixture), calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) to tallow. The final suet may be bagged and labeled for sale.

[0195] The pressed seed composition may be manufactured by methods known in the art by admixing various amounts of peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets. See Table 6. The pressed seed composition may be placed in a mould to form a shape (e.g., bell, cake, star, cylinder). The final pressed seed composition may be bagged and labelled for sale. TABLE 3— Pellet Com ositions

TABLE 4— Vitamin mixture Composition

Amount in kilograms

Vitamin Form Vitamin Final Diet Mixture Units

Vitamin A retinyl acetate in beadlet (e.g., Rovimix®) A 2000 2000000 IU/kg

Vitamin E dl-a-Tocopheryl acetate - stabilized (e.g., Rovimix®) E 5 5000 IU/kg

Biotin d-biotin B7 0.2 200 mg/kg

Pantothenic acid calcium d-pantothenate B5 2 2000 mg/kg

Riboflavin riboflavin 5 '-Phosphate Sodium B2 2 2000 mg/kg

Vitamin Bu Cobalamin B 0.002 2 mg/kg

Table 5— Wild Bird Food Mixture Composition

Formula ^VZ. ^";; ^{' "'}If' ;^:' : Ill

Ingredient .^' 7%.; ^{' '}

Black Oil Sunflower 42.10 40.00 37.70

White Millet 16.00 15.20 14.30

Canary Seed 10.20 9.50 1 1.88

Peanut Pickouts 8.00 8.88 9.00

Safflower 7.00 7.50 7.92

Total Pellets¹ 9.80 1 1.20 1 1 .40

Small Pellets² 3.92 4.70 4.40

Large Pellets³ 5.88 6.50 7.00

Red Millet 5.00 5.92 6.10

Calcium Carbonate 1.90 1.80 1 .70

Total 100.00 100.00 100.00

TABLE 6: Pressed Seed Composition Components

EXAMPLE 2

Protocol for Comparing Wild Bird Food Mixture to Other Bird Food Mixtures

[0196] The wild bird food mixtures described herein may be tested for their ability to attract desirable birds as compared to other commercially available bird food mixtures (e.g. , KAYTEE® Basic Wild Bird Food comprising grain products, black oil sunflowers, calcium carbonte, vitamin A, and vitamin D; or ordinary wild bird food comprising 95% grain

¹ Total pellets comprise a mixture of 60% small and 40% large pellets- at least about 3.1 mm and 4.4 mm in average diameter, respectively. Composition described in Table 3.

² Small pellets may be at least about 3.1 mm in average diameter.

³ Large pellets may be at least about 4.4 mm in average diameter.

4 Total pellets comprise a mixture of 60% small and 40% large pellets- at least about 3.1 mm and 4.4 mm in average diameter, respectively. Composition described in Table 3.

⁵ Small pellets may be at least about 3.1 mm in average diameter.

⁶ Large pellets may be at least about 4.4 mm in average diameter. products by weight (corn and milo), black oil sunflowers, and white millet.) Sets of studies may be conducted, the lasting 1-6 weeks. These may be "blind studies" where the observers do not know the name brand or composition of the wild bird food mixtures being tested. Station Set-up and Feeder Type

[0197] Station Set-up— A station may be constructed for attracting, feeding, and observing birds outdoors using two different bird food mixtures at a time to compare their ability to attract different birds. Each Station may be divided into a "Home A" and a "Home B", separated by 20 feet. Two feeders (e.g., Woodlink Hopper Feeder) may be located at Home A and may be filled with one bird food mixture and an identical two feeders may be located at Home B and may be filled with a different bird food mixture. The feeders may be placed in a line that the observer could face during data collection periods. An effort may be made to place the feeders equal distances from cover (i.e., trees, shrubs, and other obstructions.) Feeders may be placed at an angle so that one could observe birds feeding on both sides of the feeder.

Filling and Weighing Feeders:

[0198] First, the feeders may be filled with black oil sunflower for a period of at least five days before initiation of Surveys to attract birds to the Station. On each day that Surveys are conducted, the feeders may be filled at least 30 minutes prior to the observation period with enough food to completely fill the feeder. Any bird food mixture that may be leftover from the previous day may be discarded before filling feeders with fresh bird food mixture. At each Station feeders may be filled according to a rotation pattern where each of the four bird food mixtures may be tested against each other [e.g., bird food mixture (A) may be compared to bird food mixture (B), bird food mixture (A) may be compared to bird food mixture (C), bird food mixture (A) may be compared to bird food mixture (D)]. The type of food placed in each feeder may be changed up to six times during the course of the experiment. A 2-day interim period may be scheduled between each rotation. During this 2-day interim period, feeders may be filled once each day using the wild bird food mixtures, but no information may be collected.

Observations

[0199] Bird Count Method: (frequency, timing, details)— Surveys may be conducted between the times of 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset with an effort to schedule survey times that coincide with periods of frequent bird feeding. Participants also may conduct the surveys at the same time during the day for each day of the Survey with a one hour grace period. Specific weather conditions during each field watch may be noted by the study participants. On occasion, surveys may be carried out during periods of light precipitation, however, they may be postponed during times of heavy precipitation during which birds do not frequent feeders.

[0200] The Surveys may be conducted according to the following protocol:

(1 ) The timeline of the study may be divided into six "Blocks."

(2) Each "Block" consisted of a 2-day or 4-day period.

(3) During each "Block," the Station consisting of 4 feeders may be surveyed once per day, for the duration of the block.

(4) Blocks may be separated by a period of two days during which time no Surveys may be taken. During this 2-day interim period, feeders may be filled once each day with the food blends specified for the next scheduled Block according to a food rotation schedule.

(5) At each Station, birds visiting the feeders may be observed for a period of 60 minutes during each Block. All bird species that visited the feeders may be counted, with the following exceptions:

(a) Birds that visit a feeder, drop to the ground or fly to a nearby tree/shrub, and then return to the feeder may be only counted once.

(b) Birds may be only counted when they are on the feeder or perched on top of the feeder. Birds perched on shepherd's hangers or on the ground may be not counted.

(6) After arriving at the Station, the observer may allow for a short period of time before the Survey began, approximately 5 minutes, to allow the birds to resume normal feeding behavior before beginning with data collection. However, even if there are no birds on the feeders after approximately 5 minutes the Survey may be conducted.

(7) Feeders may be kept at least ¾ full at the beginning of the Survey; if they may be less than ¾ full, the feeders may be filled and the observer waited for at least 30 minutes to begin a Survey.

(8) Disturbances (such as presence of a predator) that cause birds to significantly alter their feeding behavior may be noted on a data sheet.

[0201] All bird observations may be documented including: the location, date, and type of bird (species) visiting a particular feeder. The total number of birds and species for each feeder may be recorded. EXAMPLE 3

Selection Feeding Experiment

[0202] The wild bird food mixtures described herein may be tested for selection by birds as compared to other commercially available bird food mixtures (e.g. , KAYTEE® Basic Wild Bird Food comprising grain products, black oil sunflowers, calcium carbonte, vitamin A, and vitamin D; or ordinary wild bird food comprising 95% grain products by weight (corn and milo), black oil sunflowers, and white millet.) Sets of studies may be conducted, the lasting 1-6 weeks. These may be "blind studies" where the observers do not know the name brand or composition of the wild bird food mixtures being tested.

[0203] Food selection experiments may be day-long feeding trials in the home cages of birds in an environmental chamber (e.g., constant temperature and a 12 hour light/dark cycle). The day-long feed trial may be repeated at least three times. Birds may be exposed to different bird food mixtures prior to feeding trials. A single trial may involve pairwise presentation of two food products, each offered in a separate feeder on opposite ends of the same side of the cage, equidistance from a water source and a perch. A preweighed quantity of food in excess of daily requirements may be provided in each feeder at the onset of the light period. Feeder positions may be exchange every 2 hours. Replications presented food type in opposite positions from the previous day. Unconsumed food may be collected at the end of the light period and reweighed. Selection was determined from the amount (mass) of a certain food type consumed (i.e. , the greatest amount reflected positive selection by the birds). [Protocol adapted from Keating, et al. ( 1992) The Auk 109(4): 863-868.] The test mixture which was consumed at a higher rate by the bird indicates a selection by the bird.

EXAMPLE 4

Protocol for Testing Wild Bird Food Mixtures

[0204] Different wild bird food mixtures may be tested in the field to determine selection by wild birds for a wild bird food mixture as compared to others including control wild bird food mixtures (e.g. , black oil sunflower seeds or WAGNER'S® Greatest Variety bird food mixture which comprises black oil sunflower seed, striped sunflower, and sunflower chips, GRREAT CHOICE® Wild Bird Seed Mix which comprises milo, white millet, and black oil sunflower seeds, and KATYEE® Birders' Blend bird seed mix which comprises sunflower, millet, crack corn, milo, peanuts, hulled sunflower, safflower, and wheat).

Station Set-up and Feeder Type [0205] Station Set-up: Each Home (site) may consist of four feeders placed 10 feet apart, each containing one of the four different test articles (Test Article #1 , 2, 3, and 4). Feeder 1 may start with Test Article #1 , Feeder 2 with Article #2, Feeder 3 with Article #3, and Feeder 4 with Article #4. The Feeders may be -10 feet apart. This may constitute a single run. After each run, the Test Articles may be moved 1 feeder to the right, until the completion of 4 runs.

[0206] Filling and Weighing Feeders: Feeders may be filled with black oil sunflower for 3 days prior to the start of the study. Feeder may be filled for one run with 1 lb (0.45 kg). At the end of each run, the food may be brought in to be separated into the different components and then weighed. One run may last as long as it takes for the food to be consumed (e.g., a maximum 4 days). Between each run, study participants may use one interim-day to allow birds to get used to the new (or up-coming) Test Article. Therefore, there each study may consist of 4 runs so each Test Articles may be tested at all 4 locations once (Feeders 1, 2, 3, and 4). See Table 7.

TABLE 7: Rotation Schedule for Stud consistin of four Runs

[0207] Type of Feeders: Platform Feeds may be used for all test articles. For example the Woodlink® Recycled Plastic Platform Feeder or Rubicon® Platform feeder may be used. Any given trial may be followed up with a trial to ensure that the final formula may perform as well in other types of feeders.

[0208] Photographs: A picture of the feeder/food may be taken at the start of each run. At the end of each day (dusk) at least one photo of each feeder may be taken. This photo may provide a close-up of the food remaining in the feeder. The purpose of these photos is to determine if any components are being left behind in large quantities or are having difficulties being eaten in a particular feeder. At least one photo a day per feeder may be sufficient.

Site Information & Trial Conditions

[0209] Study Location: The study may be conducted in any suitable area frequented by birds.

[0210] Species of Interest: Any species that typically visits a feeder.

[0211] Study Duration: The study may last between 3 and 4 weeks (depending on the weather and the data). Observations

[0212] Bird Count Method (frequency, timing, details): Surveys may be conducted between the times of 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset (e.g., between 9 and 1 1 AM). However, an effort may be made to pick survey times that coincide with periods of frequent bird feeding. Surveys may be conducted at the same time during the day for each day of the Survey. A one hour grace period may be permitted. Surveys may be carried out during periods of light precipitation, however they may be postponed during times of heavy precipitation during which birds do not frequent feeders.

[0213] On each day of each run, a Survey may consist of one continuous count lasting 30 minutes. All bird species that visit the feeders may be counted, with the following exception: birds are only counted when they are on the feeder or perched on top of the feeder. Birds perched on shepherd's hangers or on the ground should not counted.

[0214] After arriving at the Station, the observer should allow a short period of time before the Survey begins, approximately 5 minutes, to allow the birds to resume normal feeding behavior before beginning with data collection. However, even if there are no birds on the feeders after approximately 5 minutes the Survey should proceed.

[0215] Data: The number of birds, species, and amount of food consumed during each day should be collected. This information may be used to determine the number and type of birds that visit feed, also the amount of food consumed, and the difference between the test article and the controls may show if there is a preference for the test article over the control or standard wild bird food mixtures.

EXAMPLE 5

Pellet Texture

[0216] The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the impact of the texture of a pellet to a birds' acceptability (e.g., selectiveness based on pellet texture). A wild bird food mixture comprising large spherical shape (smooth) pellets with Formula I (TABLE 8) were field tested for bird acceptability and showed good bird acceptability. The texture of the pellet was changed from rough to smooth because the texture of the component was predicted to be a significant factor in whether birds will accept the pellets. The manufacturing process was adjusted and the ingredients were modified. Accordingly, rough pellets were made utilizing corn that was milled in a hammer mill whereas the smooth pellets were made utilizing ground corn flour. See TABLE 8. The test articles were compared to other wild bird food mixtures using the protocol in Example 4. TABLE 8— Test Articles

[0217] The inventors surprising discovered that a generally spherical pellet with a high level of surface smoothness resulted in a higher than expected level of acceptance by desirable wild birds. See FIGURE 1.

EXAMPLE 6

Quail Cage Trial

[0218] Research results from experiments with many domesticated and non-domesticated avian species indicate that a diet based on domestic seeds lacking fortification with essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals is not nutritionally adequate for growth, reproduction, or maintenance (Klasing (1998) Comparative Avian Nutrition CAB International, Cambridge, USA; Murphey, 1996; Ullrey et al., 1991). The wild bird food mixtures were fed to captive non-domesticated birds and compared to a similar un supplemented seed mix.

[0219] Quail {Coturnix coturnix) have been used as a model for wild omnivorous birds for more than 75 years. Coturnix have been maintained and bred in captivity on commercially available diets, but populations that have been random bred still retain wild-type nutritional characteristics (Woodard and Vohra, 1985) and the nutritional requirements of coturnix are well known. See National Research Council [NRC] (1994) Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, Ninth Revised Edition. National Academy Press, Washington DC, USA.

Methods

[0220] Overview: Quail hatchlings were fed a nutritionally complete commercial diet from day zero until day 28. During this phase, their nutritional needs are greater than would be supplied by Scott's® fortified seed mix, which is formulated to be adequate for maintenance, molting, resistance to infectious challenges and recovery from disease, but not rapid growth. At four weeks of age, quail chicks were close to their adult body weight and were transitioned to experimental diets. The birds were fed the experimental diets for another month during which time molted feathers, eggs, blood and sperm were collected. [0221] 80 one-day-old Coturnix coturnix quail chicks from the University of California random bred flock were housed in colony cages (10 chicks per pen) fitted with electrical heaters (brooders). Birds were provided a light cycle of 12L: 12D and ad libitum access to a nutritionally complete pelleted diet (Game Bird Starter®, Purina Mills, St. Louis, MO) from hatching until four weeks of age. At this time, birds were given a 50:50 mixture of experimental diets and Purina® starter diet. The percent experimental diet was increased each day until the birds received 100% experimental diet on day 4 of transition period. The experimental diets were either a seed blend (Diet D) or the same seed blend fortified with nutrient rich pellets (Diet A). See Table 5, Formula I for composition of Diet A (including -10% pellets by weight). Both diets were supplied by Scotts® and stored at 4°C during the duration of the experiment. Experimental diets were coarsely ground prior to feeding in order to facilitate consumption by quail. Fresh feed was provided weekly. Experimental diets were coarsely ground prior to feeding in order to facilitate consumption by quail. Fresh feed was provided weekly.

[0222] After transitioning to experimental diets, 28 males and 28 females (14 per sex per diet) were randomly selected from the larger population and moved to individual cages (6 in x 10 in). Males and females were housed in alternate cages so that each female had two males adjacent to her in order to stimulate egg production. A light cycle of 18L:6D was provided to trigger egg laying.

[0223] General husbandry and oversight: Birds were housed in wire mesh cages with food and water available for ad libitum consumption. Butcher paper was placed below the wire cages for collecting feces and spilled food. Paper and waterers were-cleaned weekly. Birds were observed by an avian technician daily for signs of health (food consumption, fecal color and consistency, feather ruffling, respiratory snicks, state of activity). A veterinarian may observe birds for signs of health bi-weekly and physically examine each bird monthly.

[0224] General evaluation: Individual body weights were recorded weekly during the duration of the feeding trial. The consumption {i.e., disappearance) of seeds and pellets was recorded weekly. The rate of weight gain {e.g., g per day) and the efficiency of diet use for body weight gain {e.g., g food consumed per g weight gained) was calculated.

[0225] Evaluation of molt: The experimental birds initiated their juvenile molt when they were four weeks of age. This was unexpectedly early and birds were just beginning to be transitioned to diets at this time. Thus dietary differences would not be reflected in the quality of new feathers grown. Most birds did not begin to regrowing secondary wing plumage until the third week of the study. Consequently a sample of these growing feathers was collected at the end of the study and examined for presence of stress bars, pigmentation quality, rachis integrity and tensile strength (Tsiagbe, et al. 1987).

[0226] Evaluation of immunity: Each bird were injected with 0.1 ml of a 10% suspension of sheep red blood cells at 7 (primary) and 1 (booster) days before being individually housed for the egg laying phase of the study. Blood serum were tested for IgM and IgY titers against sheep red blood cells by hemaglutination (Matson and Klasing, 2005).

[0227] Evaluation of reproduction: Date of first egg laid, number of days until 3 eggs were laid, egg weight, shell thickness, and yolk weight was measured. Concentration of vitamin A, E, zinc, copper and manganese in the yolk of the third egg were analyzed. At the time males are removed from the study, semen was collected and evaluated for sperm number and viability.

[0228] Evaluation of eggs: Eggs were collected and frozen prior to analysis. Thawed eggs were initially evaluated for pigmentation using a 4 point scale that assessed the background coloration, which is usually light tan to brown, and the number and color of the dark brown blotches scattered over the eggshell. 4 = normal background color and normal amount and color of blotches; 3 = normal background but fewer blotches; 2 = some background color and few blotches; 1 = white background and no blotches; 0 = improperly formed shell without color. Eggs were broken out into a petri plate and the yolk was carefully isolated by decanting the white. Shell thickness was determined at a point along the widest

circumference of the vertical axis using a pressure sensitive micrometer. Concentrations of vitamin A, E, zinc, copper and manganese in the yolk of the egg in the middle of the clutch were analyzed by ACS techniques.

[0229] Evaluation of health status: Any birds whose weight changed by more than 15% was removed from the trial. At the end of the experiment, the general health of each bird, and particularly signs of nutritional deficiencies, was clinically evaluated by a board certified avian veterinarian. A blood sample (500 μΐ) was taken from the vena cava, andblood hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin levels were measured using WHO Guidelines on Standard Operating Procedures for Clinical Chemistry.

[0230] Statistics: Body weight, feed consumption, feather characteristics, clinical chemistry values and antibody response was analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of Minitab for a model evaluating the effects of sex, dietary treatment, and their interactions. The remainder of the data was analyzed by One- Way ANOVA for the effect of diet. Data were tested for normality and when appropriate, log transformed. Effect of diet on incidence of shell-less eggs was analyzed by Chi-Square. Results

[0231] Six birds did not complete the 4 week study. Two females on the Diet A treatment lost more than 15% of their body weight during the first week of the study, due to poor transition to the experimental diet, and were removed from the study. One female on the Diet D treatment during week 3, and one female during week 4, were removed from the experiment due to depressed behavior (ruffled feathers, depressed activity, and closed eyes). Two females died abruptly during the fourth week of the experiment; both were females consumed Diet D and the experiment was concluded at this time. Histopathological and microbiological evaluations of one of the dead birds were inconclusive, and did not indicate a specific nutrient deficiency. The second bird had a regional extensive area of marked gizzard inflammation. Heterophils and smaller numbers of macrophages expanded the lamina propria and formed lakes within the koilin layer, where the koilin was disrupted and fragmented. On the mucosal surface, there was granular eosinophilic material deposition intermixed with abundant mucoid material and inflammatory cells and sloughed epithelia. These signs may indicate a vitamin A deficiency but other etiologies, including viral infection, are possible.

[0232] Body weight and feed intake: Females weighed significantly more than males, but weight change was not affected by the dietary treatment. However, it should be noted that body weight loss was sufficiently severe in two of the birds on the D treatment that they were removed from the study and did not contribute to the data in Table 9.

[0233] There was no difference in the intake of the two diets during the 4 week experiment (P = 0.182). Average intake per bird was 315 + 22 and 288 + 43 grams for treatments A and D, respectively. However, there was considerable spillage of feed and estimates of feed disappearance are not very reliable.

[0234] Blood parameters: Female quail fed diet D had lower hemoglobin levels than those fed diet A (Table 10). Hemoglobin levels were not affected by diet in male quail.

[0235] Evaluation of molt: Stress bars were not observed on any of the feathers collected. Coloration as indicated by hue (33 ± 6) saturation (15 ± 2) and brightness (26 ± 3) was not effected by dietary treatment (P - 0.234; 0.196; 0.891 respectively). Rachis integrity as indicated by percent deformed rachis averaged 7 ± 3 and was not affected by treatment (P = 0.699). Whole feather crimp integrity averaged 45 ± 7 g and was not affected by dietary treatment (P = 0.167).

[0236] Reproduction: Spermatozoa concentration (473x10⁶ ± 29/ml) and viability (89.4 ± 7 %) were unaffected by dietary treatment (P = 0.941 ; 0.515 respectively). Females fed diet D were significantly older when they laid their first egg. They also laid fewer eggs, which were smaller eggs and had poor pigmentation (Table 11). Their eggs were more likely to lack a shell or have thin shells. The yolks of their eggs had significantly lower levels of retinol, zinc, and manganese (Table 12).

[0237] Antibody response: The antibody response to sheep red blood cells did not differ between sexes (P=0.650) and was not affected by the dietary treatment (P=0.215).

Conclusions

[0238] All of the birds that successfully transitioned to experimental diet A completed the 4 week trial. All of the males but only 10 of 14 females fed experimental diet D completed the trial. This loss of 29% of females enrolled in the study indicates a diet problem.

Histopathology suggests vitamin A deficiency. Low hemoglobin levels observed at the end of the experiment in hens fed diet D was likely due to a combined vitamin and trace mineral deficiency.

[0239] Experimental diet type did not affect any of the parameters measured in males, suggesting that diet D was adequate for maintenance for at least one month. The reproductive performance of females fed diet D was poor. In general, their first egg was of normal size and quality but subsequent eggs deteriorated quickly in quality suggesting that nutrient stores were being depleted by egg production. The last egg produced typically had a very thin shell or was shell-less, suggesting that a calcium deficiency was responsible for poor shell quality and cessation of egg production.

Table 9. Effect of Diet on Body

Weight Change from 0-4 Weeks

Change (g)

Sex

F 1.0

8.5

Diet

A 4.0

D 5.5

Sex*Diet

F, A -1.9

F, D 4.0

M, A 9.9

M, D 7.0

Pooled SEM 2.4

ANOVA P values

Sex 0.026

Diet 0.647

Diet x Sex 0.177

M = male; F = female; A = supplemented diet

D = non-supplemented diet Table 10 Effect of Diet on Blood Parameters.

Hemoglobin Packed Cell Volume Alkaline phosphatase Albumin

(mg/dL) ( ) (IU/L) (mg dL)

Sex

F 6.7 37.5 69 2.02

M 6.4 36.9 67 2.10

Diet

A 6.7 37.4 67 2.10

D 6.3 36.9 68 2.03

Sex*Diet

F, A 6.9 37.8 67 2.1 1

F, D 6.4 37.2 70 1.94

M, A 6.5 37.0 67 2.09

M, D 6.3 36.7 66 2.1 1

Pooled

0.1 0.4 1.1 0.05 SEM

P values

Sex 0.061 0.223 0.437 0.167

Diet 0.047 0.310 0.787 0.203

Diet x Sex 0.193 0.851 0.089 0.101

M = male; F = female; A = supplemented diet

D = non-supplemented diet

Table 11 Effect of Diet on Female Reproductive Parameters

Parameter Diet A Diet D P value

Number of eggs per hen 4.9 ± 0.7 3.0 ± 0.5 0.033

Days until first egg^a 7.3 ± 1.6 10.8 ± 1.7 0.144

Egg weight, average (g) 7.0 ± 0.1 6.2 ± 0.2 0.003

Egg weight, l rst egg (g) 6.8 ± 0.2 6.3 ± 0.5 0.360

Egg weight, last egg (g) 6.6 ± 0.2 5.5 ± 0.3 0.015

Egg mass total (g)^b 36.3± 3.8 22.8 ± 2.4 0.012

Yolk weight, average (g) 1.9 ± 0.3 2.0 ± 0.5 0.310

% Yolk 27.7 ± 0.6 31.3 ± 1.7 0.135

Pigment score (average)^c 2.1 ± 0.1 1.5 ± 0.2 0.019

Shell thickness (μηι) 0.120 ± 0.041 0.097± 0.062 0.072

Shell-less eggs (%) 2.8 9.6 0.1 15

aRelative to the day that the first hen laid an egg, which was assigned a val

Number of eggs times average egg weight.

cScale from 0-4 with 0 being very abnormal and 4 being normal

Table 12 Effect of Diet on Yolk Nutrients

Parameter Diet A Diet D P value

Retinol 4.9 ± 0.7 3.0 ± 0.5 0.033

Lutein 7.3 ± 1.6 10.8 ± 1.7 0.144

Zinc 7.0 ± 0.1 6.2 ± 0.2 0.003

Copper 6.8 ± 0.2 6.3 ± 0.5 0.360

Manganese 6.6 ± 0.2 5.5 ± 0.3 0.015

[0240] A diet including the nutrient rich pellets described herein (Diet A) was superior to diet comprising only seeds (Diet D) in females. Thus, wild birds who consumed the wild bird food mixtures including pellets described herein may show greater weight, feather quality, immune response, hematocrits and hemoglobin than birds fed a seed only diet. They may also lay eggs sooner and their eggs may have higher levels of crucial nutrients. The experiment was terminated too early to determine conclusively for male birds.

EXAMPLE 7

Zebra Finch Cage Trial

[0241] Research results from experiments with companion birds (e.g., the Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata) show that a diet based on seeds lacking fortification with vitamins and minerals is not nutritionally adequate. See, e.g. , Harper and Skinner (1998) "Clinical nutrition of small psittacines and passerines." Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine 7: 1 16-127. The wild bird food mixture described herein may be compared to seed only mixtures (e.g., black oil sunflower seed) using the protocol as substantially presented herein. Methods

[0242] Birds and diets: Twenty male Zebra Finches may be individually housed in flight cages and given ad libitum access to a commercially available seed blend (n = 10), the same seed blend fortified with pellets described herein (n = 10). Each diet may be fed for 6 months. Birds may be maintained on a light cycle of 18L:6D for the first 4 months and then switched to a light cycle of 12L: 12D to trigger molt for the final 2 months of the study.

[0243] General husbandry and oversight: Birds may be housed in wire mesh cages with food and water available for ad libitum consumption. Butcher paper may be placed below the wire cages for collecting feces and spilled food. Paper and waterers may be cleaned weekly. Birds may be observed by an avian technician daily for signs of health (e.g., food consumption, fecal color and consistency, feather ruffling, respiratory snicks, state of activity). A veterinarian may observe birds for signs of health bi-weekly and physically examine each bird monthly.

[0244] Evaluation of molt: The number of days of days between initiation and completion of molt, rate of growth of primary feathers (mm/day), quality of feathers (e.g. , presence of stress bars, pigmentation quality, rachis integrity), and tensile strength (Tsiagbe et al., 1987) may be determined.

[0245] Evaluation of immunity: Each bird may be injected with 0.1 ml of a 10% suspension of sheep red blood cells at 14 (primary) and 4 (booster) days before the last day of the experiment. Blood serum may be tested for IgM and IgY titers against sheep red blood cells by hemaglutination (Matson and Klasing, 2005). [0246] Evaluation of health status: Individual body weights may be recorded weekly during the duration of the 6 month feeding trial. Any bird whose weight changes out of the clinically normal range may be removed from the trial.

[0247] At the end of the feeding trial the general health of each bird, particularly signs of nutritional deficiencies, may be clinically evaluated by a board certified avian veterinarian. At the time of the examination, a blood sample (25 μΐ) may be taken from the brachial vein. Blood hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum uric acid, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, calcium, phosphate, and bile acids, and serum albumin levels may be measured.

[0248] Diet analysis. Duplicate samples of the test diet and the seed mix may be taken at the beginning and end of the experiment. Diets may be analyzed for protein, amino acid, lipid, fiber, vitamins, trace minerals, Ca, and P levels.

[0249] Statistics: The effect of diet on mean body weight, feather parameters, and blood parameters at the end of the study may be determined by paired T-test.

[0250] Zebra finches fed a diet of the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition may show greater weight, feather quality, immune response, hematocrits and hemoglobin than birds fed a seed only diet.

EXAMPLE 8

Field Trial with wild birds

[0251] The study may take place at forested sites. Prior to the study, each of the study sites may be inspected to confirm that they have no bird-feeding activity. These study sites may then be randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (A) no bird-feeding activity, (B) bird- feeding activity using a bird seed blend, and (C) bird-feeding activity using the wild bird food mixture described herein.

[0252] To examine how the wild bird food mixture described herein improves the bird feeding experience, the study may ( 1 ) conduct counts at each forested site to examine community composition and abundance of individual species; (2) monitor birds at feeders to examine return rates; (3) use bird banding to monitor the health of individual birds including stress tolerance, immunological competence, and hormone levels, and (4) compare nutrient levels in a commercially available bird seed blend compared to the wild bird food mixture described herein. Factors that may be used to evaluate the nutritional effect of the wild bird food mixture described herein includes but is not limited to effects on the bird's immune system, molt, plumage (feather quality, e.g., (stress bars, hue, saturation, brightness, rachis and crimp integrity), vision, bill coloration, survival, and overall health of the birds.

EXAMPLE 9

Wild Bird Food Mixture Comprising Omega- 3 Fatty Acids

[0253] The purpose of this trial was to determine acceptability by the birds between two specific formulas (e.g., Formula I and Formula 0-15). See TABLE 13. Formula I is a wild bird food mixture and Formula 0-15 is a wild bird food mixture comprising a source of omega 3 fatty acids (e.g., an oil including essential fatty acids, e.g., canola oil).

TABLE 13— Formula I and Formula 0-15 Composition

[0254] The acceptability of each Formula I and Formula O- 15 were tested side-by-side for their acceptability to wild birds using a protocol similar to the one presented herein:

Station Set-up and Feeder Type

[0255] Station Set-up: Two Homes were set-up: an A and B. Each Home consisted of two feeders placed 10 feet apart that contain the same test article. Home A started with test article #1 and Home B started with test article #2. The Homes were about 10 feet apart. A field sensor camera was placed within 18 to 24 inches of each feeder to clearly capture any birds that land on the feeder.

[0256] After each run (which may consist of 5 total days), the feeders were swapped between the Homes at the site. This was utilized to block the experiment such that feeder Home is not a variable. Then, the feeders were continued to be swapped at the same interval throughout the experiment.

[0257] Type of Feeders: A platform feeder was used (e.g., Rubicon Platform (model LPHF 100)). [0258] Type of Field Sensor Camera: A field sensor camera was used (e.g., Bushnell Digital Birding Camera 4.0 MP).

Filling and Weighing Feeders:

[0259] Feeder was filled for the trial with -0.07 kg of food (1/2 may be BOS and ½ may be the pellets). A weight of each food component was recorded. In addition a picture of the feeder/food was taken at the start of each run and the end of each day.

[0260] A run consisted of 5 total days in which new food was put out everyday as detailed above. At the end of each day, the food was brought in to be separated into the different components and then weighed.

Site Information & Trial Conditions

[0261] Species of Interest: Any species that typically visits a feeder.

[0262] Study Duration: The study may last between 2 and 4 weeks. The feeders may NOT be placed outside if there is supposed to be any precipitation as it may impact the weight of the materials.

Data Analysis

[0263] The following information may be compiled and analyzed:

[0264] Leftover Components Data— % by weight of manufactured and BOS that are consumed by birds for each day by formula.

[0265] Picture Data— Sum of bird count by species seen with manufactured form over duration of trial by formula. The sum of pictures with birds in them by formula were compiled and analyzed.

[0266] It was surprisingly discovered that the wild bird food mixture including a source of omega-3 fatty acids (Formula O- 15) showed a higher acceptance rate with wild birds without a source of omega-3 fatty acids. See FIGURE 2.

EXAMPLE 10

Selection and Consumption Studies of Wild Bird Food Mixture with Wild Birds

[0267] Overview— The purpose of this study was to determine the selection of the wild bird food mixture described herein and the consumption of pellets by wild birds at different inclusion rate of the pellets (i.e., 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or 50%).

[0268] Success Criteria— The percentage pellets consumed versus the percentage consumed of the blend (e.g., all remaining seeds in the blend together) were examined. The object was to identify a formula which was selected by wild birds and where the pellets were consumed at a high enough level to minimize waste (e.g., pellets remaining after the test period). The preferred formula was selected on the basis of which one had the higher percentage consumed of pellets or the one that has the largest inclusion rate meets the success criteria.

[0269] Formulas Tested— Three inclusion rates ( 10%, 15%, or 20%) of the pellets in the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formulas A, B, and C described in Table 10) were tested at 10 locations in the United States. The pellets were formulated to include essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins as well as an oil including essential fatty acids (i.e., canola oil which include omega-3 fatty acids). Formula A comprises 10% pellets (Formula 0-15) performed statistically better than any other formulas tested and was consumed by several species of birds.

[0270] A preliminary study was conducted to test the gross inclusion rates of the pellets with only black oil sunflower to verify general consumption of the pellets. Inclusion rates of 5%, 25%, and 50% of pellets were tested. Results showed that all pellets were consumed when included at 5% rate. At the inclusion rate of 25%, little pellets were left but fewer than the 5% proportionally. Finally, the inclusion rate of 50% had too many pellets left and resulted in too much waste to be successful. Thus, the range of 10-20% pellets in the mixture showed the best consumption rate (e.g., least wasted pellets but still good acceptance rate) of the three inclusion rates tested. Three inclusion rates (10, 15, or 20%) of the pellets in the same mixture (Formula A, Formula B, and Formula C [see Table 14]) were tested at 10 locations in United States.

[0271] The percentage consumed (or remaining) of the pellet versus the percentage consumed (or remaining) of the blend (all seeds in the blend together) was examined.

Additionally, it was determined which formula was preferred by birds on the basis of which one has the highest percentage consumed of pellets or the one that has the largest inclusion rate that consistently meets the success criteria (e.g., the pellets are consumed at the same rate or better than the rest of the blend. This was calculated by the weight of the pellets versus the blend at the end of each run). The proportion of successes per Test Blend is presented in Figure 3.

[0272] Feeders with pellets remaining (e.g., that still had pellets remaining after a 4-day trial) were examined for the consumption rate of the pellets. The measures were calculated using the weight of the pellets versus the weight of the seeds remaining in the blend (proportion by weight of the pellets versus the weight of the remaining seeds). By examining at the quantity of pellets remaining (by weight), it was determined which Test Formula showed higher consumption of pellets. This analysis was performed using Minitab. Figure 4 shows that the 10% inclusion rate (Formula A) had a higher consumption rate then the Test Formulas B or C. By using a two-way ANOVA (comparing Test Blend and Location), it was determined that the difference in proportion of pellets remaining was significantly different:

TABLE 15 Analysis of Variance for % Pellets Remaining, using Adjusted SS for Tests

Source DF Seq SS ^■■■ Adj § Adj MS P ..

Test Blend 2 4289.4 2815.8 1407.9 6.04 0.004

Location 6 28925.4 28925.3 4820.9 20.67 0.000

Error 69 16096.2 16096.2 233.3

Total 77 4931 1.0

ί = 15.2735 R-Sq = 67.36% R-Sq(adj) = 63.57%

[0273] In addition, the average number of pellets remaining in the blend overall (including all the trials, including the zeros) were compared. In this case, data still favor the 10% inclusion rate (average of 18% pellets remaining in blend), compared to 15% and 20% inclusion rate (average of 26 and 29% respectively). Finally all the Test Formulas were measured under the same conditions for each location (e.g., weather). The 10% inclusion rate (Formula A) still performed better and is generally closer to complete consumption than the other two Test Formulas. See Figure 5.

[0274] Pellet size— Originally, in each of the Test Blends, 60% of the pellets were "large" ones while 40% were "small ones". The inventors surprising discovered that using a ratio of at least two different sizes of such spherical pellets (e.g., at least one larger pellet and one smaller pellet) resulted in a higher acceptance rate from a broader range of desirable birds (e.g., 60% small pellets to 40% large pellets). See Figure 6.

[0275] Conclusion— Surprisingly, a 10% inclusion rate for the wild bird food mixture had the highest proportion of successful trials (over 70% of the trials were successful) and performed better in term of consumption. Further, it was surprisingly discovered that a ratio of pellets of 60% small versus 40% large, instead of the initial ratio of 60% large versus 40% small, was more successful.

EXAMPLE 11

Competitive Testing for Essential Nutrients Blend WBF

[0276] This study was designed to test the wild bird food mixture described herein, Formula B described in Table 10, against the commercially available bird food mixtures with pellets— FM® Brown Flourish and Kaytee® Ultimate Songbird— albeit at lower proportions: 3% and 1 % respectively.

[0277] Success criteria— The wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) performed better than a commercially available seed blend with regards to attraction (using bird observation) and consumption (measuring weight).

[0278] Blends— Four articles were tested in this study: (A) Scotts'® Multi-Bird Blend (comprising black oil sunflower, white millet, safflower, peanuts, sunflower chips, and striped sunflower); (B) FM Browns' Flourish High Energy Blend® (comprising white proso millet, black oil and stripe sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, canola seed, mixed feed nuts, almond slices, flax seed, shelled peanuts, and NYJER® seeds); (C) Kaytee® Ultimate Songbird Blend (comprising black oil sunflower, millet, finch millet, safflower, raisins, and nuts); and (D) Formula B wild bird food mixture with -15% pellets (Formula 0-15). See Tables 14 and 16-20. The study was conducted using the protocol as substantially described in Example 4.

TABLE 16— Scotts'® Multi-Bird Blend with no pellets

Ingredient Amount %

Mineral Oil 0.1

Pecans 3

Papaya Granules 5

Raisins 5

Red Millet 8

Striped Sunflower 10

Peanut Pickouts 12

Safflower 12

White Millet 15

Black Oil Sunflower 30

-100 Table 17 FM Browns' Flourish High Energy Blend® with -2.73-2.9% nuggets

TABLE 18— KAYTEE® Ultimate Songbird Blend with -1 % nuggets

Ingredient Amount %

Kaytee's® Nuggets 1

Striped Sunflower 5

Sunflower chips 6

Peanut Pickouts 8

Safflower 10

White Millet 25

Black Oil Sunflower 45

100 TABLE 19— Wild Bird Food Mixture with -15% pellets (Formula B)

Results

[0279] More pellets from the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) were consumed overall and proportionally than either of the other two commercially available products— FM Browns® and Kaytee®.

[0280] Percent of change in the proportion of pellets within the blend— As the birds may consume more of the pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids described herein because there are more in the blend (15% vs. 1 or 3%), the percent of change in the proportion of the pellets within the blend from the beginning to the end of each run was examined. During a run, the proportion of the pellets in the blend may have changed (increase or decrease), according to the consumption of both the pellets and the seeds. An increase in the proportion of the pellets would signify that the birds consumed more of the seeds proportionally then the pellets. As indicated in FIG 8, all blends increased their pellet proportions after the four runs. By examining the ratio of increase in this proportion, which blend performed better {e.g., the one with average lower percent of change in their pellets proportion within the blend or closer to its initial proportion) could be determined.

[0281] FIG 9 shows that FM Browns® had an average increase of 200% in the proportion of the pellets in the blend after the 4 runs. Kaytee® had an average of 280% increase in the proportion of pellets while the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) had the lowest proportional increase of 167%. This means that proportionally, the wild bird food mixture described herein performed better than the commercial products tested because the proportion of the pellets within the blend remained the closest to its original proportion. Run 2 can be considered as an outlier; without Run 2, the average see on Fig. 9 would be 195%, 283% and 129% for FM Browns®, Kaytee® and the wild bird food mixture described herein. In this case, the wild bird food mixture performed even better. Ultimately, the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) performed 41 % better than Kaytee® based on the average proportions shown on Fig. 9; and 17% better than FM Browns®. [0282] Conclusion— The inventors surprisingly discovered that more pellets from the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) were consumed overall and

proportionally than any of the other two competitors— FM Browns® and Kaytee®.

[0283] Previous trials show that Kaytee® performed poorly compared to FM Browns® and the wild bird food mixture. The results showed Kaytee® to perform more poorly than the two other blends, but this time results also showed that the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) performed better than FM Browns®. See FIG 9.

[0284] Although the invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it was obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to persons of skill in animal physiology, ornithology, zoology, and/or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

[0285] All publications (e.g., Non-Patent Literature), patents, patent application publications, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All such publications (e.g., Non- Patent Literature), patents, patent application publications, and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, patent application publication, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1 . A wild bird food mixture comprising at least two of the following

(a) black oil sunflower,

(b) white millet,

(c) canary seed,

(d) peanuts,

(e) safflower, or

(f) red millet,

and further comprising pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.

2. A wild bird food mixture comprising black oil sunflower and at least one of the

following

(a) white millet,

(b) canary seed,

(c) peanuts,

(d) safflower, or

(e) red millet,

3. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 30%-50% black oil sunflower seeds by weight.

4. The mixture of claim 3, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 40%, 41 %, 42.1 %, 42.2%, or 42.3% black oil sunflower seeds by weight.

5. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 5%-20% white millet by weight.

6. The mixture of claim 5, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 10%, 12%, 16%, 17%, or 18% white millet by weight.

7. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 5%-15% canary seed by weight.

8. The mixture of claim 7, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 7%, 9%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.3%, or 12% canary seed by weight.

9. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 3%-20% peanuts, optionally peanut pickouts, by weight.

10. The mixture of claim 9, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 5%, 8%, 10%, or 15% peanuts by weight.

1 1. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 2%— 15% safflower by weight.

12. The mixture of claim 1 1 , wherein said mixture comprises at least about 5%, 6%, 7%, or 8% safflower by weight.

13. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 1 %-10% red millet by weight.

14. The mixture of claim 13, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, or 8% red millet by weight.

15. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, further comprising calcium carbonate.

16. The mixture of claim 15, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 0.1%— 5%

calcium carbonate by weight.

17. The mixture of claim 16, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 1 %, 1.5%, 1.9%, 2%, or 3% calcium carbonate by weight.

18. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture further comprises at least about 5%- 15% pellets by weight.

19. The mixture of claim 18, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 9.6%, 9.7%, 9.8%, 9.9%, or 10% pellets by weight.

20. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture further comprises a preservative in an amount at least about 0.0001-0.1% by weight.

21. The mixture of claim 20, wherein said preservative is citric acid, BHT, rosemary

extract, mixed tocopherols, BHA, ethoxyquin, TBHQ, or a mixture thereof.

22. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 5-15% pellets by weight.

23. The mixture of claim 22, wherein said mixture comprises at least about 9.6%, 9.8%, or 10% pellets by weight.

24. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said pellets comprise sunflower chips and at least one of the following

(a) whole corn flour,

(b) soybean meal, or

(c) wheat flour.

25. The mixture of claim 24, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 50%-75% whole corn flour by weight.

26. The mixture of claim 25, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 60%, 68%,

68.17%, 68.2%, or 68.5% whole corn flour by weight.

27. The mixture of claim 24, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 10%-20% sunflower chips by weight.

28. The mixture of claim 27, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 13%, 14.7%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% sunflower chips by weight.

29. The mixture of claim 24, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 1 %-5% soybean meal by weight.

30. The mixture of claim 29, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 3%, 3.1%, 3.23%, 3.33%, or 3.4% soybean meal by weight.

31. The mixture of claim 24, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 4%-8% wheat flour by weight.

32. The mixture of claim 31, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 5%, 6.1%, 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.5% wheat flour by weight.

33. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.

34. The mixture of claim 33, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids.

35. The mixture of claim 33, wherein said oil includes a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

36. The mixture of claim 35, wherein said combination comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids:omega-3 fatty acids.

37. The mixture of claim 36, the ratio is at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).

38. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil.

39. The mixture of claim 38, wherein said oil is canola oil.

40. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 1 %-10%

canola oil by weight.

41. The mixture of claim 40, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 3%, 4.4%,

4.690%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight.

42. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said pellet further comprises a food colorant.

43. The mixture of claim 42, wherein said food colorant in said pellet is paprika.

44. The mixture of claim 43, wherein said paprika is in the form of an emulsion.

45. The mixture of claim 43, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.9%-2% paprika by weight.

46. The mixture of claim 45, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2% paprika by weight.

47. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said pellet further comprises at least one of the following

(a) vitamins,

(b) salt,

(c) limestone,

(d) calcium phosphate,

(e) DL-methionine,

(f) manganese oxide,

(g) zinc oxide, or

(h) TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).

48. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said vitamins comprise vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B 12, or mixtures thereof.

49. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %— 5%

vitamins by weight.

50. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.74%, 0.75%, or 0.76% vitamins by weight.

51. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-0.6% salt by weight.

52. The mixture of claim 51 , wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.54%, 0.55%, or 0.56% salt by weight.

53. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-2.5%

limestone by weight.

54. The mixture of claim 53, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.2%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, 0.23%, or 0.24% limestone by weight.

55. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-1.5%

calcium phosphate by weight.

56. The mixture of claim 55, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.13%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% calcium phosphate by weight.

57. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.005%-1.0% DL-methionine by weight.

58. The mixture of claim 57, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.050%, 0.055%, 0.057%, 0.058%, or 0.059% DL-methionine by weight.

59. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.1 % manganese oxide by weight.

60. The mixture of claim 59, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.005%, 0.007%, 0.008%, 0.009%, or 0.01 % manganese oxide by weight.

61 . The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% zinc oxide by weight.

62. The mixture of claim 61, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.003%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.006%, or 0.007% zinc oxide by weight.

63. The mixture of claim 47, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.05% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight.

64. The mixture of claim 63, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0004%,

0.0005%, 0.0007%, 0.0008%, or 0.0009% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight.

65. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mixture comprises at least two different sizes of pellets.

66. The mixture of claim 65, wherein said different sizes pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 3.7-5 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2.7-3.5 mm.

67. The mixture of claim 66, wherein said large pellets have an average diameter of at least about 4.4 mm.

68. The mixture of claim 66, wherein said small pellets have an average diameter of at least about 3.1 mm.

69. The mixture of claim 65, wherein said mixture comprises a ratio of said small and large pellets.

70. The mixture of claim 69, wherein said ratio is a ratio of 20% small pellets to 80% large pellets.

71. The mixture of claim 69, wherein said ratio is a ratio of 30% small pellets to 70% large pellets.

72. The mixture of claim 69, wherein said ratio is a ratio of 40% small pellets to 60% large pellets.

73. The mixture of claim 69, wherein said ratio is a ratio of 50% small pellets to 50% large pellets.

74. The mixture of claim 69, wherein said ratio is a ratio of 60% small pellets to 40% large pellets.

75. A wild bird food pellet comprising pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids and further comprising sunflower chips and at least one of the following

(a) whole corn flour,

(b) soybean meal, or

(c) wheat flour.

76. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 50%-75% whole corn flour by weight.

77. The pellet of claim 76, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 60%, 68%, 68.17%, 68.2%, or 68.5% whole corn flour by weight.

78. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 10%-20%

sunflower chips by weight.

79. The pellet of claim 78, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 13%, 14.7%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% sunflower chips by weight.

80. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said pellet comprises at least about l%-5% soybean meal by weight.

81. The pellet of claim 80, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 3%, 3.1%, 3.23%, 3.33%, or 3.4% soybean meal by weight.

82. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 4%-8% wheat flour by weight.

83. The pellet of claim 82, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 5%, 6.1 %, 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.5% wheat flour by weight.

84. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.

85. The pellet of claim 84, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids.

86. The pellet of claim 84, wherein said oil includes a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

87. The pellet of claim 84, wherein said combination comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids:omega-3 fatty acids.

88. The pellet of claim 87, the ratio is at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1

(90%: 10%).

89. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil.

90. The pellet of claim 89, wherein said oil is canola oil.

91. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said oil is canola oil and said pellet comprises at least about 1 %-10% canola oil by weight.

92. The pellet of claim 91 , wherein said pellet comprises at least about 3%, 4.4%, 4.690%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight.

93. The pellet of claim 75, wherein said pellet further comprises a food colorant.

94. The pellet of claim 93, wherein said food colorant in said pellet is paprika.

95. The pellet of claim 94, wherein said paprika is in the form of an emulsion.

96. The pellet of claim 94, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.9%-3% paprika by weight.

97. The pellet of claim 96, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2% paprika by weight.

98. The pellet of claim 75, further comprising at least one of the following

(a) vitamins,

(b) salt,

(c) limestone,

(d) calcium phosphate,

(e) DL-methionine,

( ) manganese oxide,

(g) zinc oxide, or

(h) TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).

99. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said vitamins comprise vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B12, or mixtures thereof.

100. The pellet of claim 99, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-5% vitamins by weight.

101. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.74%, 0.75%, or 0.76% vitamins by weight.

102. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-0.6% salt by weight.

103. The pellet of claim 102, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.54%, 0.55%, or 0.56% salt by weight.

104. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1%-2.5%

limestone by weight.

105. The pellet of claim 104, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.2%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, 0.23%, or 0.24% limestone by weight.

106. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 — 1.5% calcium phosphate by weight.

107. The pellet of claim 106, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.13%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% calcium phosphate by weight.

108. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.005%-l .0% DL- methionine by weight.

109. The pellet of claim 108, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.050%, 0.055%, 0.057%, 0.058%, or 0.059% DL-methionine by weight.

1 10. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.1 % manganese oxide by weight.

1 1 1. The pellet of claim 1 10, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.005%, 0.007%, 0.008%, 0.009%, or 0.01 % manganese oxide by weight.

112. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% zinc oxide by weight.

1 13. The pellet of claim 112, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.003%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.006%, or 0.007% zinc oxide by weight.

1 14. The pellet of claim 98, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.05% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight.

1 15. The pellet of claim 1 14, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0004%,

1 16. A suet composition comprising tallow and at least one of the following:

(a) peanut pickouts,

(b) peanut meal,

(c) white millet,

(d) red millet,

(e) sunflower chips,

(0 safflower,

(g) black oil sunflower,

(h) vitamins,

(i) calcium carbonate,

(j) salt,

(k) DL-methionine,

(1) zinc oxide, or

(m) TBCC (tribasic copper chloride)

1 17. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said tallow is in an amount at least about 30%-50% by weight.

1 18. The suet composition of claim 1 17, wherein the amount of tallow is at least about 38%, 40%, or 42% by weight.

1 19. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said peanut pickouts is in an amount at least about 1 %-10% by weight.

120. The suet composition of claim 119, wherein the amount of peanut pickouts is at least about 3.5%, 3.75%, 4.0%, 4.25%, or 4.50% by weight.

121. The suet composition of claim 116, wherein said peanut meal is in an amount at least about l %-20% by weight.

122. The suet composition of claim 121, wherein the amount of peanut meal is at least about 9%, 10%, or 1 1 % by weight.

123. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said white millet is in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight.

124. The suet composition of claim 123, wherein the amount of white millet is at least about 13%, 14%, or 15% by weight.

125. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said red millet is in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight.

126. The suet composition of claim 125, wherein the amount of red millet is at least about 6%, 7%, 8%, or 9% by weight.

127. The suet composition of claim 116, wherein said sunflower chips is in an amount at least about 1%-15% by weight.

128. The suet composition of claim 127, wherein the amount of sunflower chips is at least about 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, or 9.5% by weight.

129. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said safflower is in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight.

130. The suet composition of claim 129, wherein the amount of safflower is at least about 1.5%, 2%, or 3% by weight.

131. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said black oil sunflower seeds is in an amount at least about 1 %-20% by weight.

132. The suet composition of claim 131 , wherein the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 12%, 13%, or 14% by weight.

133. The suet composition of claim 116, wherein said vitamins are in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight.

134. The suet composition of claim 133, wherein the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.10%, 0.1 1 %, or 0.12% by weight.

135. The suet composition of claim 133, wherein said vitamins are a mixture of vitamins comprising vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, or vitamin ]½.

136. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said calcium carbonate is in an amount at least about 0.1 %-l .5% by weight.

137. The suet composition of claim 136, wherein the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 0.9%, 1 %, or 1.1 % by weight.

138. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said salt (e.g., NaCl) is in an amount at least about 0.01 %-0.3% by weight.

139. The suet composition of claim 138, wherein the amount of salt is at least about 0.070%, 0.075%, 0.079%, 0.08%, or 0.085% by weight.

140. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said DL-methionine is in an amount at least about 0.0005 %-0.5% by weight.

141. The suet composition of claim 140, wherein the amount of DL-methionine is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.

142. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said zinc oxide is in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% by weight.

143. The suet composition of claim 142, wherein the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.0016%, 0.0017%, or 0.0018% by weight.

144. The suet composition of claim 1 16, wherein said TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) is in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.03% by weight.

145. The suet composition of claim 144, wherein the amount of TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) is at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, or 0.0006% by weight.

146. A pressed seed composition comprising black oil sunflower, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, and at least one of the following

(a) peanuts,

(b) white millet,

(c) red millet,

(d) safflower,

(e) calcium carbonate,

(f) canary seed, or

(g) seed glue.

147. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said peanuts are in an amount at least about 5-10% by weight.

148. The pressed seed composition of claim 147, wherein the amount of peanuts is at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanuts by weight, optionally the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanut pickouts by weight.

149. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said white millet is in an amount at least about 5-20% by weight.

150. The pressed seed composition of claim 149, wherein the amount of white millet is at least about 13.5%, 14.1 %, or 15.5% by weight.

151. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said red millet is in an amount at least about 1-10% by weight.

152. The pressed seed composition of claim 151 , wherein the amount of red millet is at least about 3.5%, 4.4%, or 5.5% by weight.

153. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said safflower is in an amount at least about 1-10% by weight.

154. The pressed seed composition of claim 153, wherein the amount of safflower is at least about 5.5%, 6.2%, or 6.5% by weight.

155. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said black oil sunflower is in an amount at least about 10-50% by weight.

156. The pressed seed composition of claim 155, wherein the amount of black oil sunflower is at least about 35%, 37%, or 40% by weight.

157. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said calcium carbonate is in an amount at least about 0.1-5% by weight.

158. The pressed seed composition of claim 157, wherein the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 1.0%, 1.7%, or 2% by weight.

159. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said canary seed is in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight.

160. The pressed seed composition of claim 159, wherein the amount of canary seed is at least about 5%, 9%, or 12% by weight.

161. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said seed glue is in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight.

162. The pressed seed composition of claim 161, wherein the amount of seed glue is at least about 9%, 12%, or 14% by weight.

163. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said pellets comprise a mixture of pellets of at least two different sizes.

164. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said composition comprises at least about 5.16% small pellets {e.g., pellets of at least about 3.1 mm average diameter) by weight.

165. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said composition comprises at least about 3.44% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 4.4 mm average diameter) by weight.

166. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids comprise sunflower chips and at least one of the following

(d) whole corn flour,

(e) soybean meal, or

(f) wheat flour.

167. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 50%-75% whole corn flour by weight.

168. The pressed seed composition of claim 167, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 60%, 68%, 68.17%, 68.2%, or 68.5% whole corn flour by weight.

169. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 10%-20% sunflower chips by weight.

170. The pressed seed composition of claim 169, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 13%, 14.7%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% sunflower chips by weight.

171. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said pellet comprises at least about l %-5% soybean meal by weight.

172. The pressed seed composition of claim 171, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 3%, 3.1 %, 3.23%, 3.33%, or 3.4% soybean meal by weight.

173. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 4%-8% wheat flour by weight.

174. The pressed seed composition of claim 173, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 5%, 6.1 %, 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.5% wheat flour by weight.

175. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.

176. The pressed seed composition of claim 175, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids.

177. The pressed seed composition of claim 175, wherein said oil includes a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

178. The pressed seed composition of claim 175, wherein said combination comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids:omega-3 fatty acids.

179. The pressed seed composition of claim 178, the ratio is at least about between 1 : 1

(50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).

180. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil.

181. The pressed seed composition of claim 180, wherein said oil is canola oil.

182. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said oil is canola oil and said pellet comprises at least about 1 -10 canola oil by weight.

183. The pressed seed composition of claim 182, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 3%, 4.4%, 4.690%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight.

184. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said pellet further comprises a food colorant.

185. The pressed seed composition of claim 184, wherein said food colorant in said pellet is paprika.

186. The pressed seed composition of claim 185, wherein said paprika is in the form of an emulsion.

187. The pressed seed composition of claim 185, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.9%-3% paprika by weight.

188. The pressed seed composition of claim 187, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2% paprika by weight.

189. The pressed seed composition of claim 166, wherein said pellets further comprising at least one of the following

(a) vitamins,

(b) salt,

(c) limestone,

(d) calcium phosphate,

(e) DL-methionine,

(f) manganese oxide,

(g) zinc oxide, or

(h) TBCC (tribasic copper chloride)

190. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said vitamins comprise vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin Bi₂, or mixtures thereof.

191. The pressed seed composition of claim 190, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %— 5% vitamins by weight.

192. The pressed seed composition of claim 191 , wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.74%, 0.75%, or 0.76% vitamins by weight.

193. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-0.6% salt by weight.

194. The pressed seed composition of claim 193, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.54%, 0.55%, or 0.56% salt by weight.

195. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %-2.5% limestone by weight.

196. The pressed seed composition of claim 195, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.2%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, 0.23%, or 0.24% limestone by weight.

197. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.1 %— 1.5% calcium phosphate by weight.

198. The pressed seed composition of claim 197, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.13%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% calcium phosphate by weight.

199. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.005%-l .0% DL-methionine by weight.

200. The pressed seed composition of claim 199, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.050%, 0.055%, 0.057%, 0.058%, or 0.059% DL-methionine by weight.

201. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.1 % manganese oxide by weight.

202. The pressed seed composition of claim 201 , wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.005%, 0.007%, 0.008%, 0.009%, or 0.01% manganese oxide by weight.

203. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% zinc oxide by weight.

204. The pressed seed composition of claim 203, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.003%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.006%, or 0.007% zinc oxide by weight.

205. The pressed seed composition of claim 189, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0001%-0.05% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight.

206. The pressed seed composition of claim 205, wherein said pellet comprises at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, 0.0007%, 0.0008%, or 0.0009% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight.

207. The pressed seed composition of claim 146, wherein said composition is in the shape of a bell, cake, star, ball, or cylinder.

208. A container, item, or package comprising the wild bird food mixture of claim 1.

209. A container, item, or package comprising the pellets of claim 75.

210. A container, item, or package comprising the suet composition of claim 1 16.

21 1. A container, item, or package comprising the pressed seed composition of claim 146.

212. A method of manufacturing a wild bird food mixture comprising combining seeds and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture.

213. The method of claim 212, wherein said seeds are

(a) black oil sunflower,

(b) white millet,

(c) canary seed,

(d) peanut pickouts,

(e) safflower, or

(f) red millet.

214. The method of claim 212, further comprising adding calcium carbonate.

215. The method of claim 212, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.

216. The method of claim 215, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids.

217. The method of claim 215, wherein said oil includes a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

218. The method of claim 217, wherein said combination comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids:omega-3 fatty acids.

219. The method of claim 218, the ratio is at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).

220. The method of claim 212, wherein said oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil.

221. The method of claim 220, wherein said oil is canola oil.

222. The method of claim 212, further comprising adding at least one of the following to the pellets: (a) whole corn flour,

(b) sunflower chips,

(c) soybean meal,

(d) wheat flour,

(e) canola oil,

(f) paprika,

(g) vitamins,

(h) salt,

(i) limestone,

0) calcium phosphate,

(k) DL-methionine,

(1) manganese oxide,

(m) zinc oxide,

(n) preservative, or

(o) TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).

223. A method for manufacturing a suet composition comprising admixing tallow and at least one of the following:

(a) peanut pickouts,

(b) peanut meal,

(c) white millet,

(d) red millet,

(e) sunflower chips,

(f) safflower,

(g) black oil sunflower,

(h) vitamins,

(i) calcium carbonate,

(j) salt,

(k) DL-methionine,

(1) zinc oxide, or

(m) TBCC (tribasic copper chloride),

to form a suet composition.

224. A method for manufacturing a pressed seed composition comprising admixing black oil sunflower, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, and at least one of the following (a) peanuts,

(b) white millet,

(c) red millet,

(d) safflower,

(e) calcium carbonate,

(f) canary seed, or

(g) seed glue,

to form a pressed seed mixture.

225. A method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the wild bird food mixture of claim 1 or 2 at a location where it is available to birds.

226. A method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the pellets of claim 75 at a location where it is available to birds.

227. A method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the suet composition of claim 1 16 at a location where it is available to birds.

228. A method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the pressed seed

composition of claim 146 at a location where it is available to birds.

229. A method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture of claim 1 or 2 at a location where it is available to birds.

230. A method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pellets of claim 75 at a location where it is available to birds.

231. A method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the suet composition of claim 1 16 at a location where it is available to birds.

232. A method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed

composition of claim 146 at a location where it is available to birds.

233. A method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food

mixture of claim 1 or 2 at a location where it is available to birds.

234. A method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the pellets of claim 75 at a location where it is available to birds.

235. A method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the suet composition of claim 116 at a location where it is available to birds.

236. A method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed

composition of claim 146 at a location where it is available to birds.

237. The method of any one of claims 229-236, wherein said bird lays more eggs.

238. The method of any one of claims 229-236, wherein said bird has better egg pigmentation.

239. The method of any one of claims 229-236, wherein said bird has larger egg size.

240. The method of any one of claims 229-236, wherein said bird has thicker egg shells.

241. The method of any one of claims 229-236, wherein said bird has more nutrition in the egg yolk, optionally a higher level of retinol, zinc, or manganese in yolk.