I like these feeders because they look good for platic feeders, the birds like them, they're easy to clean with a hose sprayer and they're plenty durable for the price. After 18 months or so when they start to look too worn you can throw them out without guilt that you didn't get your moneys worth. They do hold up to being chewed on by the squirrels but if they fall any distance, pieces will break and fall off. They work fine (if not better) without the port covers but the perches will become too loose after a couple of re-attachments.