Opus Top Flight Squirrel-Proof Feeder

Opus makes a couple of variations of this type of squirrel-proof bird feeder: a tube feeder surrounded by a wire cage that the squirrel cannot chew through. This particular one is called the Opus Top Flight squirrel-proof bird feeder.

Unfortunately, this is another example of a "squirrel-proof" bird feeder that does not work.

It’s true that the squirrel is unable to reach the feeding ports and cannot chew through the mesh to damage the feeder. However, this bird feeder lacks a couple of key design elements which really make a bird feeder squirrel-resistent.

First, the this feeder has a seed tray at the bottom of the feeder tube which catches the fallen seeds. It’s great to prevent wasted seeds. Unfortunately, it is also great for the squirrel. He can easily cling to the wire, hang upside down, and each the seed from the tray. (I’m speaking from personal experience on this one.) The second undesirable feature is that the lid doesn’t close firmly; it just sits on top of the tube structure. Many times I’ve found the lid laying on the ground beneath the feeder (we had it on the second floor). The squirrel would just pop it off and help himself.

If you’re going to invest money in a squirrel-proof bird feeder that you really want to work, this is not the one.