Copper Longtail Hunting OSRS Guide for All Players

Hey, if you’re dipping your toes into the Hunter skill in Old School RuneScape, or maybe you’re just grinding out that Western Provinces Diary, copper longtails are one of those early-game birds that can feel like a total game-changer. I’ve been playing OSRS since the early 2000s, back when Hunter was this shiny new skill that everyone either loved or hated. Me? I loved it. Those first catches felt like magic, especially when you’re level 9 and suddenly you’ve got feathers stacking up in your inventory. But let me tell you, nailing the copper longtail hunt isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes the birds just tease your snares, flitting around like they know you’re there. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through everything from spotting them to turning those catches into real progress. What’s your Hunter level right now? If it’s under 9, don’t sweat it, we’ll cover that too.

Let’s get real for a second. Why chase these orange little flyers when there are bigger fish, or I guess bigger beasts, to fry in Gielinor? Well, for starters, they’re your ticket to that easy Western Provinces Diary task: catch one copper longtail. I remember knocking that out back in 2018 during a marathon session, and boom, instant bragging rights with my clan. Plus, at level 9 Hunter, they give you a solid 61.2 experience per catch. Not life-changing, but stack enough of them, and you’re cruising toward better methods like chinchompas.

But here’s the kicker, those feathers? They’re basically free arrows or fishing bait. I’ve sold stacks for a quick 500k gp more times than I can count, just to fund my next Barrows run. And honestly, in a game where every skill point counts, these birds teach you patience early on. Ever had a session where nothing lands for 20 minutes? Yeah, that happened to me last week. Frustrating, but it builds character. Or at least that’s what I tell myself while chugging a stamina potion.

Short answer: They’re efficient, profitable on a small scale, and a rite of passage. Ready to dive deeper?

Level Requirements and What You Need to Start

Before you even think about trekking out there, check your stats. You need at least level 9 Hunter to set a bird snare on these guys. If you’re below that, no biggie, head to the Varrock Museum for that natural history quiz. It’s free XP and gets you there in like 10 minutes. I did it ironman style once, fumbling through answers, and still hit 9 without a hitch.

Gear-wise, keep it simple. A bird snare is your main tool, bought from the Hunter shops for 4 gp each. Grab a handful, say 20-30, because they break sometimes. Wear something light, like graceful if you’ve got it, but honestly, at this level, even basic clothes work. Oh, and don’t forget your stamina potions if you’re planning a long grind. Food? Nah, not unless you’re really unlucky with those failed catches.

One pro tip from my years of grinding: Always carry a few extra feathers in your inventory. Why? Because if a bird escapes, you might as well practice fly fishing nearby. Multitasking, baby.

Quick Gear Checklist

Here’s a no-nonsense list to pack before you head out:

• Bird Snares: 20+ (essential, duh)
• Stamina Potions: 2-3 doses for energy
• Teleport Tabs: Games necklace or fairy ring access for quick escapes
• Weight-Reducing Items: Boots of lightness if you’re feeling fancy
• Inventory Space: At least 20 free slots for feathers

See? Nothing fancy. I once forgot my snares on a trip and had to run back from the GE. Lesson learned the hard way.

Prime Spots to Hunt Copper Longtails

Location is everything in OSRS, right? For copper longtails, you’ve got a couple solid options, but my go-to has always been the Piscatoris Hunter Area. It’s north of the Eagles’ Peak, just west of the Tree Gnome Stronghold. Teleport there via fairy ring code AKQ, and you’re basically one click away. I love this spot because it’s quiet, no PKers lurking, and the respawns are decent.

If you’re on the Great Kourend side, check east of Land’s End in Zeah. Fewer players, but the walk can be a drag without the Xeric’s talisman. Pro tip: After finishing Swan Song quest, the nearby fishing colony bank makes banking feathers a breeze. I did a full hour there once, netting 12k XP and a tidy profit, all while listening to a podcast in the background. Real life skills meeting game skills.

Ever wonder why these birds hang out in these weird spots? Probably because Jagex wanted to force us to explore. Anyway, pick one based on your quest progress. Piscatoris for most folks.

Comparing Hunt Locations

Let me break it down in a table so you can decide quick:

There you go. Choose wisely, or just hop worlds like I do when it’s packed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Your First Copper Longtail

Alright, let’s get hands-on. Imagine you’re standing there, wind in your hair (or pixels, whatever), ready to snag one. First, equip your bird snare from the tool leprechaun? No, wait, just right-click it in your inventory and select “set-trap.” Place it on the ground where you see those orange blurs darting around. They’ll loop in the air, and one might dive right in.

Patience is key here. Set up 4-5 snares spread out, maybe in a line or circle, to cover more ground. Watch the birds’ paths, they tend to follow patterns. When one lands? Boom, it gets stuck, you click to claim the loot, and reset. Each success: 61.2 XP, raw bird meat, and those golden feathers.

I recall my first time, level 9 fresh off the museum quiz. Set the snare, waited five minutes, nothing. Then suddenly, two birds hit at once. Felt like striking gold. But failures? Oh man, the snare collapses, and you’re out nothing but time. Shake it off, reset, and keep going. How many tries did it take you on your first go? Share in the comments if you’re reading this far.

For a visual, think of it like this: Birds fly low, spot the snare, get curious, land, trapped. Rinse and repeat. If you’re visual like me, check out some YouTube vids, but honestly, trial and error beats watching every time.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

Nobody’s perfect, especially not me after a late-night session. Here’s what trips folks up:

1. Placing Snares Too Close: Birds need space to approach. Spread ’em out 3-4 tiles apart.
2. Ignoring World Hopping: If spawns are slow, switch worlds. I do this every 10 minutes.
3. Forgetting to Reset: Claim the bird, then immediately set again. Delays kill your rate.
4. Overloading Inventory: Bank every 15-20 catches to avoid encumbrance.

Avoid these, and you’ll hit 10k XP per hour easy. Trust me, I’ve burned through enough failed setups to know.

Maximizing XP and Profits from Copper Longtail Hunts

Now, let’s talk gains. Pure XP grind? Release the birds right after catching for faster turns. That bumps you to 10-15k XP/hour, perfect for pushing to level 15 where cerulean twitches wait. But if gp’s your game, bank those feathers. They sell for about 3-5 gp each on the GE, and with 10-15 per hour, that’s 50k gp profit after supplies.

I’ve mixed it up over the years. Early on, I’d release everything for quick levels. Now? I bank half, release half, keeps it balanced. Ever tried alching the raw meat? Nah, not worth it, but selling it to shops adds a bit.

For diary hunters, just one catch does it. Tag and release, basically. But if you’re in for the long haul, pair this with bird house runs. Set a house in Piscatoris before you start, collect after. Double dip on XP.

Question: Are you going for max efficiency or chill vibes? Either way works, but efficiency pays off long-term.

Profit Breakdown Table

Here’s a rough estimate based on my last grind session (prices fluctuate, check GE):

Not bad for low-level skilling, huh? Scales up as you level.

Personal Tales from the Field Lessons from a Seasoned Hunter

Let me pull back the curtain a bit. Back in 2015, I was this wide-eyed player, fresh max cape in sight, but Hunter lagging at 70. Decided to power through birds, starting with copper longtails. Set up in Piscatoris, blasted some music, and went ham. Two hours in, I’d hit level 15, but my fingers? Cramped from all the clicking. That’s when I learned about auto-retaliate off and just watching the patterns. Game-changer.

Fast forward to last month, September 2025, grinding for a friends chat comp. Worlds were packed, birds vanishing like ghosts. Hopped to world 300, empty paradise. Nabbed 200 feathers in an hour, sold for 800 gp, enough for a bond discount. Felt like cheating the system.

But not all stories are wins. Once, mid-diary, a bird got stuck in the snare animation forever. Had to log out, relog, lost 10 minutes. Rage quit for coffee. Moral? Save often, laugh it off.

These moments? They’re what make OSRS alive. What’s your funniest Hunter fail?

Advanced Tricks for Speedy Catches

Once you’re comfy, level up your game. Use the “inspect” option on snares to tweak placement mid-run. Birds favor open ground, so avoid trees or rocks. And stamina? Pop a sip every 5 minutes, keeps you jogging between resets.

If you’re quested up, leverage Swan Song for that bank access. I swear, it cut my downtime in half during a 99 push. Also, consider the Hunter cape perk later, but for now, focus on volume.

Short para: Experiment. That’s the secret sauce.

Longer thought: I’ve seen players swear by specific worlds for better spawns, like low-pop ones for irons. Test it yourself, track your rates in a notebook app. Mine showed Piscatoris edging out Zeah by 2k XP/hour. Data doesn’t lie.

Wrapping Up Your Copper Longtail Adventure

There you have it, folks, your blueprint to dominating copper longtails in OSRS. From that first nerve-wracking set to stacks of feathers funding your next quest, it’s all about persistence and a bit of luck. I’ve poured hours into this skill, from noob mistakes to pro strats, and these birds never get old. They’re simple, rewarding, and a solid foundation for bigger hunts.

So, what’s next for you? Tackling the diary, or pushing Hunter to 99? Drop a comment, share your tips, or yell at me if I missed something. Happy hunting, and may your snares always spring true. See you in Gielinor.