I have never used this type of feeder before, didn't think it would work. But I was wrong it was easy to put together and set up in my yard. We have alot of birds where we live and squirrels. It seems sturdy but we'll have to see. The birds like it, one thing I think would be a good fix is the little silver pole things that the birds stand on need to be a little bigger or longer. Haven't seen any squirrels try to get at it yet.