This bird feeder is pretty, sturdy and seems to do the promised job of keeping squirrels at bay, or should I say - away from it! There is a lever to the left side of the sitting bar, and one can adjust it to different sensitivities. When the lever is on its lightest, only smaller birds, like cardinals and titmice and robins can sit on it, whereas pigeons would press the feeder closed. When the lever is tightened, I think that larger birds would be able to come and feed, too. The squirrels, those little shenanigans, have tried to out-smart this feeder, but without any success so far. March 2nd, 2015 Add-on I downgraded this feeder to 3 stars, because after several weeks, I must say that I do not see as much bird traffic on it as I was used to with my old, wooden feeder. I am wondering why this is so... maybe it is the limited access space? Just one side, and room for 4 small, sparrow-type birds, if they sat nicely side by side... which of course, they won't! The squirrels sometimes find a way to get into it, too. But, that is OK, it is not all the time. I am missing my wooden feeder! There was a big bird party around it going on all day, every day, all winter long... now I am putting out the bird food on the side, on the patio table, so that more birds come to feed. UPDATE JANUARY 2021 Yes, it has been that many years, and every winter season, this feeder has been doing its job. When we hung it from the big tree we had in our yard, squirrels would eventually manage to get onto the feeder. With their hind legs, hey grab onto the bar over the feeder, then just hang down over the roof to eat from the tray. It does not keep the birds away, though: after some initial inquisitiveness and reserve, we have plenty of birds of all sorts, all day long. It is so entertaining to watch them take turns. I have to fill the house every two days. The squirrels are not that much of a customer, really. And we don't mind them coming and eating, too. Overall, they don't take that much away. Our dogs chase them soon after they arrive, mostly! Now, I re-stationed it since last winter, as we had to take down the tree. It now hangs down from the outer most joist of the deck roof structure. Looks like this place keeps squirrels away. They investigated, but then turned away. NOTE: This is a three part review, the last part being in January of 2021 Overall, I am very happy with this bird feeder. It has only a little rust now on the handle bar. Other than that, it is in mint condition. I have noticed that many people gave it very bad reviews. I don't know, why. My feeder is awesome. The birds love it and six years of perfect service is not a bad track record at all. I would have given it 5 stars if the roof had a wider overhang on the feeding side, so as to better protect the food from snowfall and rain. Ideally, I'd add another 5 inches of overhang. Maybe the makers of this bird house can take note? If you find my review helpful, thanks for letting me know!
