How to find the Death Rite Bird in Elden Ring

The Death Rite Bird is a type of Elden Ring boss that appears four separate times in the game and defeating it will yield valuable rewards. To learn how to find and beat the Death Rite Bird, read on.

Kiera Mills

20th May 2022 10:32

Image via FromSoftware

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The Elden Ring Death Rite Bird is a boss fight that appears in four separate areas in the Lands Between. Each Death Rite Bird in Elden Ring drops substantial items and runes upon defeat, making these optional bosses a worthwhile venture in your playthrough. For tips on how to beat, and Death Rite Birds locations, read on.

Death Rite Birds aren’t the only troublesome bosses of the sky. Read our guide on How To Beat Ancient Dragon Lansseax, first located in the Altus Plateau.

Where can you find the Death Rite Bird in Elden Ring?

The map above details the different areas the Death Rite Birds are situated but if you're still struggling, here are some more in-depth descriptions of the Death Rite Bird locations.

Liurnia of the Lakes

The first Death Rite Bird is in Liurnia of the Lakes, south of Gate Town North Site of Grace. It will only spawn at night and will drop the Ancient Death Rancor sorcery (which requires 34 intelligence and 24 faith to use).

Caelid

This Death Rite Bird is located in Caelid, southeast of the Southern Aeonia Swamp Bank Site of Grace. This bird also only spawns at night and drops the Death's Poker once defeated. Death’s Poker is a greatsword that requires 15 strength, 17 dexterity, and 11 intelligence to wield. It also has the Ghostflame Ignition skill attached, which conjures ghostflames from the tip.

Mountaintops of the Giants

Located at the Mountaintops of the Giants, across the bridge that is northwest of Stargazer's Ruins. This is the only Death Rite Bird that can spawn both at night and during the day and will drop the Death Ritual Spear once defeated. The Death Ritual Spear requires 14 strength, 20 dexterity, and 18 intelligence to wield properly. It also has the special Spearcall Ritual skill attached to it, which summons a multitude of spectral spears from the sky to fall onto enemies.

Consecrated Snowfield

This last Death Rite Bird is located in the Consecrated Snowfield. If you travel southeast from the Apostate Derelict Site of Grace, you’ll reach the head of the frozen river where the birds will spawn. It will only spawn at night and drop the Explosive Ghostflame sorcery upon death. This sorcery requires 42 intelligence and 30 faith to cast, if you have this it will summon ghostflames that will explode in an AOE.

To get to the Consecrated Snowfield you’ll have to locate the two halves of the Haligtree Medallion first, one of which is with Latenna. Read our guide on How to Unlock Latenna, to find her.

How to beat the Death Rite Bird

Each of the Death Rite Birds spawns in relatively open locations, meaning it is possible to summon Torrent for the fight. This is a viable option as the Death Rite Bird has a considerable wingspan and fast movement speed. The Death Rite Birds are weak to Holy and Strike damage, which is good news for incantation builds that use Holy magic, or strength builds that use blunt weapons like maces or hammers.

The Death Bird has a combination of standard, piercing, and magic damage with the ability to summon frost as well, so having a few Thawfrost Boluses on hand to cure frostbite build-up may be a good option. The most dangerous attack at the Death Rite Bird’s disposal is the Death Screech which builds up the Death Blight status effect. If this meter fills all the way, then it inflicts instant death on the Tarnished. Luckily, this attack along with most of the Death Bird’s attacks is well-telegraphed and starts with an animation, buying you a valuable few seconds to dodge the oncoming attack.

For instance, its stab attack is carried out after the bird rears its head back, meaning it is easy to spot beforehand. It will also spring backward with its wings outstretched to perform the Rain of Spears spell, in which it will summon spears from the sky to pin you. These are difficult to avoid, but summoning Torrent for a quick sprint away can be Helpful.

Overall, speed is the key contributor to this fight, and the ability to anticipate and dodge attacks, for this reason, Torrent is a great option to use against the bird’s AOE spells. Beyond that, getting in close to the legs or risking swipes at the bird’s face is also an option. The bird can be staggered, in which case its eye will glow orange for a chance at a critical hit, don’t miss this important opportunity to inflict high damage.