How to Make a Birdhouse in OSRS: A Step-by-Step Guide
Building a birdhouse in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a fantastic way to train your Hunter skill while gathering useful resources like feathers, nests, and seeds. Birdhouse runs are efficient, low-effort, and a staple for players looking to level up Hunter passively. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about crafting and using birdhouses in OSRS, from requirements to the best strategies for maximizing your gains. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this step-by-step tutorial will help you master birdhouse runs and boost your gameplay.
Birdhouses offer a unique training method in OSRS that combines Hunter experience with resource gathering. They’re especially popular because they require minimal time investment compared to traditional Hunter methods like tracking or trapping. Once you set up your birdhouses, they work passively, allowing you to focus on other tasks while still earning XP and loot.
Benefits of Birdhouse Runs
Here’s why birdhouses are worth your time:
- Hunter XP: Each birdhouse yields a decent chunk of experience, scaling with the type of birdhouse you use.
- Resources: You’ll collect feathers, bird nests (great for Saradomin brews or cash), and seeds for Farming.
- Passive Training: Set them up, wait, and collect—no constant attention needed.
- Low Cost: Materials are affordable, making this method accessible to all players.
Who Should Use Birdhouses?
Birdhouses are ideal for:
- Players training Hunter from level 5 onward.
- Ironmen seeking self-sufficient resources like seeds and nests.
- Anyone looking for a low-maintenance skilling method.
Requirements for Making Birdhouses in OSRS
Before you can start crafting and placing birdhouses, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements. These include skill levels, quests, and items. Let’s break it down.
Skill and Quest Requirements
To unlock birdhouse crafting and placement, you need:
- Hunter Level: At least 5 to use the basic birdhouse (higher levels unlock better ones).
- Quest: Completion of Bone Voyage, which grants access to Fossil Island where birdhouses are placed.
- Crafting Level: Varies depending on the birdhouse type (e.g., 5 for basic, up to 44 for Yew).
Items Needed
Gather these materials before heading out:
- Logs: One log per birdhouse (type depends on the birdhouse—e.g., regular logs, oak, willow, etc.).
- Clockwork: One per birdhouse, craftable at 8 Crafting or buyable from the Grand Exchange.
- Seeds: 10 low-tier seeds (like barley or hammerstone) to bait each birdhouse.
- Hammer: For crafting and placing birdhouses.
- Digsite Pendant: Optional but highly recommended for quick Fossil Island access.
How to Craft a Birdhouse in OSRS
Crafting a birdhouse is straightforward once you have the materials. Follow these steps to make one from scratch.
Step 1: Gather Materials
First, ensure you have your logs, clockwork, and a hammer. You can chop logs yourself or buy them from the Grand Exchange. Clockworks are crafted using a steel bar on a crafting table (level 2 or higher) in a Player-Owned House (POH), or you can purchase them for around 500-600 GP each.
Step 2: Craft the Birdhouse
With your materials in hand:
- Use a hammer on your log.
- Select the birdhouse option from the crafting menu.
- Combine the log with a clockwork to create the birdhouse.
The Crafting XP varies by birdhouse type—e.g., 15 XP for a regular birdhouse, up to 50 XP for a redwood one.
Birdhouse Types and Levels
Here’s a table of birdhouse types, their requirements, and rewards:
| Birdhouse Type | Hunter Level | Crafting Level | Log Type | Hunter XP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 5 | 5 | Regular Log | 280 |
| Oak | 14 | 15 | Oak Log | 420 |
| Willow | 24 | 25 | Willow Log | 560 |
| Teak | 34 | 35 | Teak Log | 700 |
| Maple | 44 | 45 | Maple Log | 820 |
| Mahogany | 49 | 50 | Mahogany Log | 960 |
| Yew | 59 | 60 | Yew Log | 1,020 |
| Magic | 74 | 75 | Magic Log | 1,140 |
| Redwood | 89 | 90 | Redwood Log | 1,200 |
Setting Up Birdhouses on Fossil Island
Once crafted, it’s time to place your birdhouses on Fossil Island. Here’s how to do it efficiently.
Step 1: Travel to Fossil Island
After completing Bone Voyage, use a Digsite Pendant or the rowboat at the Digsite to reach Fossil Island. Teleporting with the pendant is the fastest method.
Step 2: Locate Birdhouse Spots
There are four birdhouse locations on Fossil Island:
- Verdant Valley: Two spots near the Mushtree teleport.
- Mushroom Meadow: Two spots accessible via the nearby Mushtree or a short walk.
Use the Mushtree teleport system (unlocked during Bone Voyage) to hop between these areas quickly.
Step 3: Place and Bait the Birdhouses
For each spot:
- Click the empty birdhouse space to place your crafted birdhouse.
- Add 10 seeds (e.g., barley or hammerstone) to bait it.
- Wait approximately 50 minutes for birds to fill it (a full run takes about an hour).
Step 4: Collect Rewards
Return after 50-60 minutes with a hammer, dismantle the birdhouses, and collect your loot. You’ll get Hunter XP, feathers, and a chance at bird nests.
Tips for Efficient Birdhouse Runs in OSRS
To get the most out of your birdhouse runs, follow these strategies to save time and maximize rewards.
Optimize Your Route
Start at Verdant Valley, place two birdhouses, then teleport to Mushroom Meadow via the Mushtree to set the other two. This minimizes travel time. When collecting, reverse the route: check Mushroom Meadow, then Verdant Valley.
Use the Best Birdhouses You Can
Always use the highest-tier birdhouse your Hunter and Crafting levels allow. Higher-tier birdhouses yield more XP and better nest chances. For example, switch to Oak at level 14, Willow at 24, and so on.
Stockpile Materials
Buy or craft clockworks in bulk and chop logs ahead of time. Keep a stack of seeds in your inventory (hammerstone seeds are cheap and effective). This lets you do multiple runs without restocking.
Time Your Runs
Birdhouses take roughly 50 minutes to fill, aligning with the OSRS game cycle. Pair them with other hourly activities like Farming runs for efficiency. Set a timer to remind yourself to return.
Loot and Profit Potential
Each run can net you: