In the Legend of Zelda games, calling your bird is an important mechanic that allows Link to quickly travel across the map. Each Zelda game has a different method for calling your bird companion. Here’s a quick overview of how to call your bird in the major Zelda games that feature bird companions.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
In Skyward Sword, your bird companion is a Crimson Loftwing. To call your Loftwing while flying around Skyloft or anywhere in the sky, simply press the Down button on the D-Pad. This will whistle for your Loftwing, which will come flying underneath you and catch you on its back.
You can also call your Loftwing while on the ground on one of the floating islands in the sky. Face the edge of the island, press Down to whistle, and your Loftwing will come flying in from off screen and land next to you. Hop on its back and you can take flight once more.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In Breath of the Wild, you can obtain a paraglider early in the game that allows Link to glide down from high places. Later in the game, after freeing Divine Beast Vah Medoh, you can get the Paraglider upgraded to become the Paraglider Plus. This upgraded paraglider gives Link the ability to briefly summon a large Rito bird ally named Teba to fly him upwards during flight.
To call on Teba for an upward draft boost, simply press the whistle button (Up on the D-Pad) while gliding with the Paraglider Plus equipped. Teba will come flying underneath Link and toss him high into the sky, allowing him to reach greater heights and distances.
Upgrading the Paraglider
To upgrade the regular Paraglider to the Paraglider Plus, you must first complete the Divine Beast Vah Medoh dungeon in Rito Village. After calming Medoh, speak to Teba in Rito Village to receive the enhanced version of the paraglider that can call Teba for help.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Switch)
In the Link’s Awakening remake for Nintendo Switch, Link can obtain a bird companion named Ulrira by completing the trading sidequest. This involves trading various items across the island until you receive Ulrira in return.
Once you have Ulrira as a companion, select him from your inventory to call him. He will fly Link up high into the sky, allowing him to gently glide down to access hard to reach areas.
Trading Sidequest Steps
Here are the steps to complete the Ulrira trading sidequest in Link’s Awakening (Switch):
| Receive | Trade To |
|---|---|
| Yoshi Doll | Mamamu Yan |
| Ribbon | Dog in Martha’s Bay |
| Dog Food | Chef Bear |
| Bananas | Monkey |
| Stick | Pig in Animal Village |
| Pineapple | Papahl |
| Hibiscus | Goat in Animal Village |
| Letter | Mr. Write |
| Broom | Sweeper |
| Fishing Hook | Fisherman |
| Mermaid Necklace | Martha |
| Ulrira | COMPLETE! |
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
In Majora’s Mask, Link can obtain a bird companion named Kaepora Gaebora by completing Anju and Kafei’s notebook side quest. This long sidequest involves recovering Kafei’s stolen Sun Mask and reuniting him with Anju.
Once the quest is complete, Kaepora Gaebora can be called by playing the Sonata of Awakening, one of the songs Link learns on the Ocarina of Time. This will summon Gaebora, who Link can fly around on for fast transportation.
Anju and Kafei Notebook Steps
Here are the steps to complete Anju and Kafei’s notebook sidequest:
- On the First Day, speak to Anju in the Stock Pot Inn and agree to meet Kafei.
- At midnight on the First Day, meet Kafei in the backroom of the Curiosity Shop and receive Kafei’s Mask.
- On the Second Day, show Kafei’s Mask to Anju at the Stock Pot Inn.
- At midnight on the Final Day, arrive at the Stock Pot Inn to see Kafei reunited with Anju.
- After the reunion, go to the Laundry Pool area to witness Kafei retrieve his stolen Sun Mask.
- Play the Song of Time to return to the First Day and Kaepora Gaebora will now be available as Link’s bird companion.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
In Wind Waker, Link partners with a large red bird called the Deku Leaf as his main mode of aerial transportation. The Deku Leaf is obtained early in the game on Outset Island.
Once you have the Deku Leaf in your inventory, you can call the bird at any time while standing on the ground in outdoor areas. Simply press A to whip out the Deku Leaf and hold A again to call the bird and take flight.
The Deku Leaf bird will carry Link high into the air allowing him to gently float down with control over direction. You can also use the leaf while gliding to create gusts of wind.
Alternate Transportation Methods
While the Deku Leaf bird is Link’s main transportation in Wind Waker, there are other ways to fly around as well:
- Using the Deku Leaf, Link can hop into nearby cyclones to shoot up into the sky and parachute down.
- Near the end of the game, Link obtains the ability to warp using cyclones he creates by conducting the Wind’s Requiem.
- Link can also ride seagulls at certain bird stone locations by playing a Hyoi Pear.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
In A Link Between Worlds, Link’s bird companion is an iconic Loftwing very similar to the Crimson Loftwing from Skyward Sword. This multicolored bird is affectionately named Birdie.
After initially rescuing Birdie from a cage in the Sanctuary, Link can summon Birdie by blowing the Whistle item. Simply equip Whistle to X or Y, then press that button whenever you’re outdoors and Birdie will come carry Link high into the sky.
Uses for Birdie
Link can ride on Birdie’s back to:
- Quickly travel between areas of the map
- Discover hidden chests and items while flying above the world
- Reach high ledges and cliffs that can’t be accessed from the ground
- Cross large gaps Link would normally need the Pegasus Boots to run across
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Wolf Link does not have access to a bird companion in Twilight Princess. However, regular human Link can summon a large eagle named the Hawkeye using a unique grass whistle item.
To call the Hawkeye, you must first obtain the Hawkeye item by completing a mini-game challenge at Falbi’s Flight by Fowl in Hyrule Town. Once acquired, equip the Hawkeye and use it anywhere outdoors to summon the giant eagle for transportation.
Falbi’s Flight by Fowl Challenges
To earn the Hawkeye summon item, you must beat all five levels of Falbi’s flight challenges:
- Basic level – Fly through 20 rings
- Advanced level – Fly through 25 rings
- Expert level – Fly through 15 rings under a time limit
- Master level – Burst 15 switches in the air
- Hero level – Beat the master level twice with a Cucco
Completing all five levels will reward you with the Hawkeye to call the giant eagle anywhere you want!
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Original)
In the original 1993 Link’s Awakening for Game Boy, Link could obtain a flying Rooster companion named Richard who allows him to warp around the map.
To get Richard the Rooster, Link must first complete the trading sidequest (listed in the section above for the Switch remake). After finishing the trade sequence, Richard will appear in certain bush areas.
To call Richard, simply slash your sword in those bushes and he will appear to transport Link to one of the main areas of the map. This served as a fast travel system in the original Link’s Awakening.
Conclusion
Calling a bird companion is a key mechanic that has appeared in many Legend of Zelda games over the years. Each bird serves as an invaluable transportation method to explore the skies and quickly traverse the world below. From Loftwings to eagles to leaves, Link has had a diverse set of winged friends by his side on many adventures.
Next time you embark on a Zelda journey, don’t forget to grab your trusty bird whistle or flute! You never know when you’ll need to take flight and soar off to new heights in the kingdom of Hyrule and beyond.
