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There are plenty of scary-looking enemies scattered throughout the Lands Between, and the developers had no lack of creativity when it came to designing some of these creatures. This is to be expected from the developers of theDark Soulsfranchise. But, some of these enemies look even more intimidating and, quite frankly, freaky; it makes you wonder if this is what George R.R. Martin’s influence looks like.
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Some of the most jaw-dropping creatures inElden Ringare known as Deathbirds — and their more formidable counterpart, the Death Rite Birds. These monstrosities are littered throughout the world and are frightening to come across. These enemies look like they are undead, with a massive skull for a face, tattered wings, and a freakishly skinny body. Therewardsthey drop make them well worth seeking out.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on June 16, 2025: This guide has been overhauled to be more in-line with our current formatting standards. Additional information has been added to each entry, clarifying loot drops and including more in-text links to relevant content.
Warmaster’s Shack Deathbird
Item Drops
Blue-Feathered Branchsword(Talisman)
The first Deathbird is located nearby theWarmaster’s ShackSite of Gracein Limgrave. Once you’ve arrived at the Shack, rest at the grace site to make it nighttime, and make your way east on Torrent until you come across a fallen building with a ton of white glowing lights resting on top of it. Approach the building, and a Deathbird will swoop in to fight you.
After you fell your first Deathbird, you will receive theBlue-Feathered Branchsword Talisman. Its description: “A talisman adorned with blue feathers, once used in ancient death rituals. Raises defense when HP is low.” This Talisman, when equipped, will reduce incoming damage by 50% when your Health is below 20%.
Weeping Peninsula Deathbird
Sacrificial Axe(Axe)
For the next Deathbird, you must travel south across the Bridge of Sacrifice and into the Weeping Peninsula — past where youstart Irina’s questline. You will want to start at theCastle Morne Rampart / Nomadic Merchant Site of Graceand rest to make it nighttime (The bird will only appear at night). From here, travel southwest, past the pillar where you pick up a map fragment. On your right, there will be a Castle with large rocks on the outside; hug this rock wall bytraveling west and northwest until you are on the left side of a sizable broken-down structure.
Once you have arrived, the Deathbird will appear by swooping down from the sky. After defeating this enemy, you will receive theSacrificial Axeas a reward. As per its description: “Hatchet used in ancient sacrificial rite. A Deathbird is depicted as a malevolent deity. The power of the rite yet lingers. A small amount of FP is restored upon slaying a foe.” More specifically, you will receive4 FP for each enemy killedin the vicinity of your tarnished while you have this axe equipped. This also stacks with the Sword of Milos and the Ancestral Spirit’s Horn and acts as a pretty incredible passive ability.
South Liurnia Deathbird
Red-Feathered Branchsword(Talisman)
For the third Deathbird, you will need to travel to Liurnia of the Lakes and make your way to theScenic Isle Site of Grace. Rest to make it nighttime andtravel northuntil you find a broken-down building that is illuminated with tiny white lights. Upon reaching the building, the third Deathbird will fly in to attack your Tarnished.
When you defeat the bird, you will receive theRed-Feathered Branchsword Talismanas your reward. The item’s description states: “A talisman adorned with red feathers, once used in ancient death rituals. Raises attack power when HP is low. The heart sings when one draws close to death, and a glorious end awaits those who cling so tenaciously to life.” When equipped, your attack power will be raised by 20% when your HP is below 20%.This Talisman pairs well with the Blue-Feathered Branchsword, as they both activate when your Health is below 20%.
Central Liurnia Death Rite Bird
Ancient Death Rancor(Death Sorcery)
To reach your next foe, travel to theGate Town North Site of Gracein Liurnia of the Lakes. This Site of Grace will be east of the large landmass that houses the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Once you have arrived, rest to make it nighttime, and travel south. Upon passing one of the sinking buildings nearby, a new Deathbird will appear. This one has a slightly different look, with black and teal wings and a new set of attacks — this will be your first Death Rite Bird.
Once your enemy is defeated, your reward will be theAncient Death Rancor. The Sorcery’s description: “Sorcery of the servants of Death. Summons a horde of vengeful spirits that chase down foes. Charging enhances potency. They are cinders of the ancient death hex, raked from the fires of ghostflame by Deathbirds.” More specifically, this spell sends9 ghostflame spirit skullsat enemies and can be charged to deal more damage.
Caelid Death Rite Bird
Death’s Poker(Greatsword)
For the fifth Deathbird, you must travel to Caelid — specifically, theCaelid Highway South Site of Grace. Once at the grace site, rest to make it nighttime, hop on Torrent and travelsoutheast past theDecaying Ekzykes(The enormous white dragon). After passing him, follow the path east where you will pass a map fragment. As you continue along this path, you will see a similar-looking Deathbird as the previous one in the distance.
Approach theDeath Rite Birdand fell the monster. Once defeated, your tarnished will obtainDeath’s Poker. As per its description: “Barbed rod carried by Deathbirds. The birds are graveyard fire keepers; it is said they rake out the ashen remains of the dead from their kilns.” This Greatsword scales with Intelligence, Dexterity, and Strength and deals piercing damageandfrostbite. It also comes with its own weapon skill,Ghostflame Ignition, making this Greatsword a formidable weapon for any Tarnished.
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Altus Plateau Deathbird
Twinbird Kite Shield(Shield)
Before reaching the next Deathbird, you must first reach the Altus Plateau. To do so quickly,collect both halves of the Dectus Medallionthat can be found inFort Haight(eastern Limgrave) andFort Faroth(eastern Caelid). Once you have collected both halves, make your way to the Grand Lift of Dectus and raise the medallion to access the Altus Plateau.
You can also enter via theRuin-Strewn Precipiceroute.
Once you have arrived at the Plateau, you will need to make your way northeast towards Lyndell, The Royal Capital, and find the Site of Grace calledHermit Merchant’s Shack. When you arrive, rest until nighttime. After that, travel northeast alongside the castle walls until you stumble upon an area littered with large skulls. The Deathbird will appear here.
Defeat this enemy, and you will receive theTwinbird Kite Shield. According to its description: “Shield featuring a vividly painted twinbird. The twinbird is said to be the envoy of an outer god, and mother of the Deathbirds. At dwindling levels of HP, this shield slightly boosts both attack and defense.” This Medium Shield scales with Strength and gives your Tarnished a 5% attack and a 10% defense boost when you are at 20% of your Health. This effect alsostacks with the two Talismans you retrieved earlier, the Blue and Red-Feathered Branchsword.
Mountaintops Of The Giants Death Rite Bird
Death Ritual Spear(Spear)
Like the previous Deathbird, you cannot reach this enemy until you unlock the next big area of the map, the Mountaintops of the Giants. In order to do so,you mustdefeat Morgott, The Omen Kingin Leyndell, Royal Capital. You will receive theRold Medallionfrom Melina, which you will need totake to the Grand Lift of Rold.
Now that you have unlocked Mountaintops of the Giants, travel to theFreezing Lake Site of Grace. Rest to make it nighttime, hop on Torrent, and hug the rock wall to your left until you reach the path where you willtravel west; this time, your journey on Torrent will be quite far. Once you reach the downwards slope,huge skeletonswill magically appear and try to kill you, calmly ride past them.At the bottom of the hill, make a hard right turn(one more skeleton will appear) and follow the secret path that leads to a large flat opening. Here, the seventh Deathbird will appear.
Upon defeat, this Death Rite Bird will drop the Death Ritual Spear. “Ritual spear used by priests of old who were permitted to come among the Deathbirds. The priests became guardians of the birds through the rite of Death, which also serves as an oath sworn to their distant resurrection.”
Consecrated Snowfield Death Rite Bird
Explosive Ghostflame(Death Sorcery)
As is the theme, you will need to collect one last medallion if you’d like to defeat the eighth Deathbird. This final medallion,TheHaligtree Medallion, unlocks a quite large secret area using the Grand Lift of Rold — The Consecrated Snowfield. This is where you can find the eighth and final Deathbird you’re hunting. The first half of the medallion can be found in theVillage of the Albunarics in Liurnia of the Lakes.The left half of the medallion can be found inCastle Solin the northern area of the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Once both halves are retrieved, travel to the Grand Lift of Rold andhoist the Secret Medallion. After arriving in the newly discovered area,travel to Ordina, Liturgical Town. When you arrive at the Site of Grace, rest to make it nighttime before traveling west. When you pass theGolden Seedtree, make a right to travel north along the icy river. Continue along this river until the final Death Rite Bird appears.
Upon this final Deathbird’s defeat, you will receive 220,000 runes in addition to theExplosive Ghostflame Sorcery.As per its description: “Sorcery of the servants of Death. Strike the ground with the staff, triggering an explosion of ghostflame that burns the surrounding area. In the time when there was no Erdtree, death was burned in ghostflame. Deathbirds were the keepers of that fire.”
This spell falls under “Death Sorcery” and results in burning the surrounding area. It does an initialexplosion damage of 130— 38 damage per flame tick — and also inflicts frost damage. Additionally, the spell can also be boosted by thePrince of Death’s Staff.
Elden Ring: 10 Things You Must Do Before Shadow Of The Erdtree Arrives
Shadow of the Erdtree’s release date is set (June 21), and players should ensure they’re ready to venture back into The Lands Between.
