Birds Slayer Task OSRS Guide for Beginners

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the birds slayer task is a fantastic starting point for new players diving into the Slayer skill. Assigned by low-level Slayer masters like Turael or Spria, this task requires no Slayer level, making it accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a fresh account or a seasoned player looking to breeze through a quick task, killing birds offers a straightforward way to earn Slayer experience while gathering some useful loot. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the birds slayer task, including the best locations, strategies, and tips to maximize efficiency.
The birds slayer task stands out for its simplicity and accessibility. It’s perfect for players who are just starting their Slayer journey or those looking to complete tasks quickly for points. Unlike more complex tasks, birds are weak, widespread, and don’t require special equipment or high combat stats. Plus, the loot from certain birds, like chickens, can add up for low-level players.
Key Benefits of Birds Slayer Task
- No Requirements: You can start this task at level 1 Slayer, ideal for beginners.
- Variety of Targets: From chickens to seagulls, you can choose what to kill based on convenience.
- Decent Loot: Chickens drop feathers and raw chicken, which are great for early-game profit.
- Fast Completion: Most bird types are low-HP, letting you wrap up tasks quickly.
Who Assigns This Task?
Birds are assigned by Turael in Burthorpe or Spria in Draynor Village. These Slayer masters cater to low-level players, offering tasks that are manageable without high combat skills or gear. If you’re point-boosting (completing Turael’s tasks to skip harder ones from other masters), birds are a common and quick option.
Best Locations for Killing Birds
Finding the right spot to slay birds can make or break your efficiency. OSRS offers several locations where birds spawn in abundance, each with its own perks. Below, we’ll cover the top spots to complete your task, focusing on accessibility and loot potential.
Lumbridge Chicken Coop
The chicken coop north of Lumbridge is a go-to for most players. It’s free-to-play, close to a bank, and packed with chickens that respawn quickly. Chickens have only 3 Hitpoints, making them easy to kill even with basic weapons.
- Location: Just north of Lumbridge Castle, near Fred the Farmer.
- Pros: High spawn rate, safe, and great for feather collection.
- Cons: Can get crowded in busy worlds.
Port Sarim Seagulls
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, head to Port Sarim to kill seagulls. These birds are scattered across the docks and are another easy target with minimal combat stats.
- Location: Docks of Port Sarim, west of Draynor Village.
- Pros: Less crowded than Lumbridge, decent for ranged training.
- Cons: Seagulls drop only bones, so no profitable loot.
Falador Farm Ducks
Ducks at the farm east of Falador are another option, especially if you’re near the area. They’re slightly less common but still count toward the task.
- Location: Pond near the farm, east of Falador.
- Pros: Quiet spot, easy to access with Falador teleport.
- Cons: Fewer spawns compared to chickens.
Ape Atoll Birds (Members Only)
For members, the birds on Ape Atoll offer a unique option. These level 5 or 11 birds are tougher than chickens but still manageable for low-level players. However, you’ll need to start or complete parts of the Monkey Madness I quest to access the island safely.
- Location: Scattered across Ape Atoll.
- Pros: Higher Slayer XP per kill (5-10 XP).
- Cons: Requires quest progress and is riskier due to aggressive monkeys.
Strategies for Completing the Task Efficiently
While birds are easy to kill, a bit of planning can speed up your task and boost your rewards. Whether you’re meleeing chickens or ranging seagulls, here’s how to optimize your approach.
Recommended Gear
You don’t need fancy gear for birds, but a decent setup helps. Stick to weapons and armor that match your combat level. For example:
- Melee: Iron or steel weapons (scimitar or sword) for low levels; Mithril or better for higher levels.
- Ranged: Shortbow with iron arrows or a crossbow for safe spotting seagulls.
- Magic: Basic spells like Wind Strike if you’re training magic.
Bring lightweight armor like leather or iron to avoid weighing yourself down, and carry some food (like bread or trout) if you’re worried about taking hits from higher-level birds.
Combat Tips
Birds are weak, so focus on speed over power. Here are some pointers:
- Chickens: Stand in the middle of the coop and attack as they respawn. Use area-of-effect abilities if you’re a high level.
- Seagulls: Range from a distance to avoid moving around too much. They don’t hit back often, so you can AFK slightly.
- Ducks: Attack near the pond’s edge to keep them in range.
- Ape Atoll Birds: Stay alert for aggressive monkeys and use Protect from Melee if needed.
Loot Management
Chickens are the loot kings of this task, dropping feathers (stackable, 5-15 per kill) and raw chicken (sells decently or useful for Cooking). Seagulls and ducks drop only bones, so prioritize chickens if you’re after profit. Bring a few inventory slots to collect feathers, and bank them at Lumbridge or Draynor when full.
Loot and Profit Potential
While birds aren’t a goldmine, they can generate modest profit for low-level players. Let’s break down what you can expect and how to make the most of it.
Loot Table for Common Birds
Bird Type | Main Drops | Approx. Value (GE) |
---|---|---|
Chicken | Feathers (5-15), Raw Chicken, Bones | 50-150 GP per kill |
Seagull | Bones | Negligible |
Duck | Bones | Negligible |
Ape Atoll Bird | Bones | Negligible |
Note: Prices fluctuate based on the Grand Exchange. Check current rates before banking loot.
Maximizing Profit
To squeeze out every coin:
- Focus on Chickens: Feathers stack, so you can kill for longer without banking.
- Train Cooking: Cook raw chicken on a nearby fire to level up Cooking while saving inventory space.
- Sell in Bulk: Feathers sell well to fishers and fletchers, so hoard them for a bigger payout.
Tips for Point Boosting and Task Skipping
If you’re using Turael’s tasks to boost Slayer points (a strategy where you complete his easy tasks to reset streaks for higher-level masters), birds are a dream. They’re quick, and you can chain them with other low-effort tasks like rats or goblins.
Point-Boosting Strategy
Here’s a quick guide to point boosting with birds:
- Visit Turael in Burthorpe for a task.
- If you get birds, head to Lumbridge or Port Sarim and knock it out.
- Complete 10 tasks with Turael, then switch to a higher-level master (e.g., Vannaka or Chaeldar) for the 10th task to earn a big point bonus.
- Use points to skip undesirable tasks later.
Pro Tip: Keep a Slayer ring or enchanted gem to check your task progress without trekking back to Turael.
When to Skip Birds
While birds are easy, you might skip them if:
- You’re far from a good location and don’t want to teleport.
- You’re aiming for faster tasks like goblins, which spawn closer to Turael.
- You have enough points to cancel tasks (30 points per skip).
With this guide, you’re ready to tackle the birds slayer task in OSRS like a pro. Whether you’re farming chickens for feathers or sniping seagulls for quick XP, this task is a low-effort way to build your Slayer skills. Grab your weapon, pick a spot, and start slaying!