Very realistic for a plastic hopper. You can't really tell it's not real wood unless you study it up close. Othewise, it looks like a solid hopper. It has good weight to it, and is not cheaply made. The rope attached to it is nylon, so it should last quite a while exposed to the outdoors. The rest of the materials, including the screws, plastics, and hinges, appear to be rust-free, so it should hold up for some time. It's very easy to fill this with feed, and doesn't make a mess when doing so.