Trust me, I was very hesitant to pay this much $$$ for a Nyjer feeder. I originally had my eye on another one from Droll Yankee (their Onyx feeder). But liked the fact this came with the weather guard and seed tray. I had tried, in the past, many Nyjer feeders and none worked for me ... especially those sock ones everyone seems to use. I had finches on this from the first day I put it up. And I am surprised how many birds use the feed tray to pick the Nyjer seeds from the mesh. For me, more than those that cling and eat from the meshing. And the weather guard is awesome. It's not sitting 5-6 inches (or more) above the feeder, it's right there where it's needed. LOVE this feeder and glad I made this choice!!

American goldfinches, lessers and pine siskins love this feeder. House finches and white-crowned sparrows clean up spilled seed on the ground. I'd suggest not hanging it over concrete because the seed is oily and can darken the surface and make it slippery. Weeds don't seem to grow through spilled seed or hulls.