“I recently purchased two large Copper Mesh Tube Feeders for finches. They appear well made. At least they will last much longer than the traditional 'sock' type feeders. Each of the feeders holds about 2 lbs of Nyjer Thistle for finches. I bought these because the fabric mesh socks do not hold up to the swarms of finches we have in our area. Until I started out hanging the thistle socks, I hadn't realized the profusion of finches we have in Glendale, AZ.
Though the feeders are much more durable than the sock type feeders, there is a bit of a flaw. The copper base plate does not fit securely to the mesh feeder and seed can fall out providing an ample invitation for the Mourning Doves we have; they are a bit of a nuisance but are not able to land on the feeders and have to suffice with picking up what falls to the ground. How I remedied this was I took some E6000 transparent clear adhesive and glued the copper base to the feeder to make a good seal, and this worked quite well. I've not noted any thistle falling through any separation between the feeder tube and the copper base. This is why I gave the feeder a 4-Star rating, but I would buy the feeder again regardless of the flaw.
Nyjer Thistle isn't very cheap and it depends upon where/whom you purchase it from, as the feeder tubes hold about 2 lbs each. There is a shorter similar tube available at Bird's Choice. With all the finches we have, a full feeder tube will last about 8-10 days. We keep our finches on a diet: no refills for two weeks. If I wasn't feeding them, they would find sustenance elsewhere anyway. But, the feathery beasties come back immediately one I have the fully replenished feeders, like within a minute or two, and they tell there friends: FREE FOOD ! and I get the multitude of finches. My wife and I love watching them and sometimes they squabble as the jockey for position to land on the feeders. I'm not fond of the Mourning Doves and consider them a nuisance, but what we have had recently is visitations from Quail and they are fun to watch. They joust with the Mourning Doves for the seeds that inevitably fall beneath the feeders and the Doves seem to be afraid of them and know who really rules the roost...The Quail.
I did read where others have complained that the Finches will not land on these metal tube feeders. I got the lighter colored mush feeders and I think visually the seed is more easily seen when compared if you bought a darker mesh feeder. But, regardless, the Finches love these feeders and from sunup to sundown, they are at the feeders. I did read other reviews at Bird Choice and other places like Amazon and there were a number that indicated the Finches would not feed from the tube feeders they purchased. I don't understand the reviews because we've had no problems whatsoever in attracting these beautiful Finches. We mainly have Lesser Yellow Finches (My Wife's Fav) and House Finches, perhaps some Purple Finches.
I would highly recommend these feeders as they will last longer than the traditional 'cloth' mesh sock feeders and you should get years of enjoyment as we hope to. We have two feeders suspended from a sturdy wrought iron hanger. I've included two pictures and a video; not sure if the video will be can be viewed at the website. I looked at similar feeders at a number of websites. I did not want a feeder that the larger birds could land on, just the finches. The Mourning Doves try to land on the copper dome but just slide off. If you want just the finches on your feeder(s),get one like the ones we purchased with no lip on the base. As you can see in the images, there is no way a Dove or other bird can land on the feeder. The feeders are easy to fill.. I bought a funnel with a wide mouth and a small plastic drinking container and I can fill them quickly. I have a large container that holds the seed and fill the feeders in the container to catch any see that falls, it falls back into the storage container. Be careful if you run your hand(s) over the tube to brush off the thistle as the feeding tube is metal. I suggest wearing cloth type gloves to do this. The copper top also fits well and securely with a clamp at the top and makes a good seal, no spillage.”
