Review Posted on Amazon.com July 21, 2011

I put this feeder up on a shepherd's crook immediately after my purchase. I used a fruit and nut mix (sunflower hearts and mixed dried fruit), which has been the birds' favorite in our yard. Two weeks, no birds. No squirrels either. Leaving in the same food, I moved the feeder to another location, this time placing it on a tree limb. Within two hours I had birds on the feeder! They were using a nearby limb as a launch site from which to get up under the feeder's hood. It seemed that some of them were not able, from the ground, to get the "lift" necessary to reach the feeder; but by flying from the nearby limb they could manage.

07-30-11 UPDATE: I needed to upgrade this rating to five stars. I've had the feeder in its tree location for two and a half weeks now. I've tried three different seed mixes. Regardless the food offered, I can't keep it filled! The food was running out so quickly I thought something must be shaking the feeder to make the seed drop out. So one day when working at home I placed the feeder in the same tree, but close enough to my home office window that I could watch it. All day long there were birds on the feeder and others fighting for space. Before my eyes I watched the level of the seed slowly drop, drop, drop. Never a big bird or a squirrel. Finches, titmouse, chickadees, (and yes, sparrows) love this thing! Even as I have been typing this there are three birds on the feeder and six more perched in nearby branches chattering away, waiting their turn. If I didn't want cardinals, this would be the only feeder I would have. Am definitely buying another the next time I need a feeder.

  Unable to attract birds June 12, 2011

I Purchased this bird feeder because we have a problem with black birds and felt the design of the feeder would keep those pesky black birds away. However, it not only keeps the black birds away, we haven't seen a single bird on the feeder. We have been watching for 2 weeks now and nothing. Starting to think the design is not 'bird friendly'. Any suggestion on how to attract 'good' birds to the feeder? Like the design and thats why I gave it my rating a #3.

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Perky-Pet® Consumer Relations Response:

Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Perky-Pet® Fortress® The Bird Shelter Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder (model 5109-2).  It can take awhile for birds to find and become accustomed to a new feeder. 

It is helpful to place your new feeder in the place of an established feeder.  Also, try sprinkling bird seed on the ground below the feeder to attract the birds.  While feeding on the ground they will fly up to the feeder to the perches when searching for more seed instead of approaching the feeder from the top.

We hope you find this tip to be helpful!  .  For further assistance do not hesitate to contact our Consumer Relations Team at 1-800-800-1819, opt 1.

Best regards,

Liz
Consumer Relations Representative
Woodstream Corporation
Perky-Pet®