Hi Tina,

Is it glazed? My understanding is that birds much prefer a non-glazed, rough surface that they can grip easily. My birdbath is just a large unglazed saucer and birds generally land on the edge and drink, gripping with their claws. If yours is glazed that might be difficult for them.

Ingrid

Yes Ingrid, it is glazed. It had never occured to me it might be slick to grip but that might be the reason. They sell these pretty glazed bird baths everywhere. I am wondering if other people might have the same problem. I'll have to put a terra cotta top on and see if they come to that one. Thanks for your comment.
Tina

You're welcome! I hope it helps.

It maybe they are not comfortable bathing on the deck. You could try moving it to an area farther away. If you get birds, then you can move it back in increments until you get back to the deck (bringing the birds with it). My birds still prefer the mud puddle where my sump pump discharges to the fancy bird bath.

Hi Chris,
Thanks for your comment. I have been thinking about moving it. Bought another tray that isn't slick on the edges so I will try that first then move it if they don't visit. The problem with moving it is that I won't be able to see the birds. Oh well....
Tina

I have a glazed blue bird bath as well as two unglazed metallic ones. The birds do use all three, so I don't think it is the color or the glaze of yours that is the problem - at least not completely. That said, of the three baths, the favorite BY FAR is the shallower of the two metallic ones. The other two are tied for less favorite.

I think shallow helps a lot. I see you put a flat rock in, but perhaps try several rocks and even put one partly submerged?

I think that is also why they like Chris' mud puddle, it's not deep (they like mud puddles at our house too).

Hi,
Thanks for letting me know you have a blue birdbath that is visited. The rock I put in is one that is partially submerged but juts up above the water for the birds to sit on. I think I need to move it off the deck to a more protected site. Saddens me because I won't get to see the birds enjoying it. Hm-m-m-m, just thought of a place that might work where I would be able to see them from my deck rail. I'm going to do that when I return from my vacation.
Tina

I bought a large (18 inch across) glazed black plant tray for a bird bath. It WAS too slippery - a couple times a Chickadee perched on the edge and tried to drink, and then would slip into the water (a plant tray isn't too deep though).

I used the palm sander with a rough grit sandpaper and sanded the whole thing down. That worked great, but of course it ruined the glaze and instead of the shiny lustrous black coloring it was dull and a bit grayer.

I saw some pretty blue glazed bird baths at the nursery on sale yesterday - sometimes I wonder who designs these bird baths? Glazed ceramic or glass are not good materials, and often they are way too deep. The birds' favorite bird bath in my yard is the large plant tray that just sits on the ground (in an open area under the maple tree, where they feel safe and can watch for predators).