Customer Reviews

Opus 5124 TopFlight Triple Tube Fortress Feeder

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here in Massachusetts the birds stopped migrating early. This means that we have far more warm weather birds setting up camp in our state for the winter. The Opus 5124 will get us and the birds through this colder than usual winter because it only needs filling once a week (it holds 30 lbs of food). We hang in on an S-hook in the woods. I have two cautions for this feeder. If you put three different feeds in this single (three tube) feeder, birds can end up competing as they all eat at the same place. Also, this size feeder can cause the lower seeds to rot in the rain, where bacteria can make the birds sick. So, I recommend this feeder as a backup for your usual feeders around the yard through the winter months to assure freesh, dry feed. Otherwise, this feeder is fine so long as you clean it well in the rainy season and accept the ways of the avarice jay.

A great bird feeder, which only needs feeding once a week. I have it hanging off a tree limb and an Opus squirrel baffle on top which makes it about 95% squirrel proof. The shape of the feeding ports also makes it more difficult for bigger birds to get at the food which means lots of smaller birds - cardinals, finches, chickadees in my neighborhood. I have purchased four different types of feeders this year and this is by far the best!!!!!!

I owned a similar type when I lived in San Diego, and the birds loved it. It had a larger cage area, so that small birds actually would go inside to eat. I was ALWAYS refilling it. This one however, is not made to allow small birds to enter the caged area, and they have to hang on and some seem to be nervous about putting just their head through the wired openings, always looking over their shoulder. For some reason, it isn't as popular as the 2 other types of feeders I have, but I do see birds from time to time using, or attempting to use it. Perhaps it is the location--being by a window.

I've used this feeder for a couple of years now. I use it on a pole, though it does come with a loop for hanging. The user who mentioned having to undo screws to add food must not have noticed that the top just twists/screws off (no tools required, and very easy to do). Filling it is not a problem.

The problem that I have had with it is that the bottom openings for food become clogged with seed debris and becomes so solid that the birds can't clear it out. With the bottom holes clogged, the only remaining openings are the top ones. Once the food level is below the top holes, the feeder is effectively empty, and needs to be filled again. I have taken the feeder completely apart, cleaned it with a hose, and put it back together. The bottom holes remained usable for about a week before they became clogged again. I'm looking for something new.

Fortress is the correct word for this feeder. Even the birds can't use it. I had tons of birds using my previous feeder which had perch bars. After a couple of days trying to figure out how to perch and eat at the same time, the birds simply gave up on this one. Birds have fat little bodies and this feeder forces their breast up against the wire cage which makes it impossible to then get their heads through the cage wires to the feeder openings. It is also not user friendly. Who wants to remove and replace screws to fill a bird feeder. I rate this feeder a 0. And it's expensive to boot.

In my review titled "Great for Harsh Winters" I mention that the Opus 5124 feeder will hold 30 lbs of food. My husband believes it is more like 8 lbs; specifically, 3 tubles full. Hope this helps.