More BirdsSquirrel-X Bird Feeder, Cage Tube Feeder Keeps Squirrels Out, 4 Feeding Ports, 1.5 lb Seed Capacity

How do the birds access the seed? It looks like it's quite a distance from the surrounding "cage" to the openings where the seed is in the cylinder.

Will this feeder hold thistle seed without losing the seed?

Will cardinals be able to fit inside the cage?

I like it but how do I clean it?