Where do you get the Bird Key in Zelda?

The Bird Key is an important item that you need to progress in several Zelda games. Getting the Bird Key allows you to access new areas that were previously inaccessible. In this article, we’ll cover where to get the Bird Key across the various Zelda games.

Getting the Bird Key in Ocarina of Time

In Ocarina of Time, the Bird Key is found inside Lord Jabu-Jabu after defeating Barinade. Here are the steps to get the Bird Key in Ocarina of Time:

1. After arriving at Zora’s Domain as an adult, speak to King Zora who will ask you to find Princess Ruto inside Lord Jabu-Jabu.
2. Enter Lord Jabu-Jabu through his mouth and work your way through the dungeon.
3. Defeat Barinade, the boss inside Lord Jabu-Jabu. This releases Ruto from inside the boss.
4. Speak to Ruto and she will give you the Bird Key as a reward.

The Bird Key in Ocarina of Time looks like a small golden bird statue. It’s needed to access Lake Hylia, which is blocked by a gate requiring the Bird Key to open.

Using the Bird Key in Ocarina of Time

Once you have the Bird Key, head to the gate blocking access to Lake Hylia. It’s located not far from the entrance to Gerudo Valley. Unlock the gate with the Bird Key to open up Lake Hylia.

With Lake Hylia accessible, you can now access the Water Temple located under the lake. The Bird Key is a critical progression item in Ocarina of Time.

Obtaining the Bird Key in Majora’s Mask

Majora’s Mask requires retrieving the Bird Key to access Woodfall Temple. Here’s how to get the Bird Key:

1. Speak to Tingle inside the Clock Town map room. Pay him to fill in the map of Woodfall on your map screen.
2. Travel to Woodfall and enter the Woodfall Fairy Fountain cave. Defeat all the enemies inside.
3. A treasure chest will appear containing the Bird Key. Open it to obtain the key.

The Bird Key looks identical to the one from Ocarina of Time. With the key in hand, you can now proceed to Woodfall Temple.

Using the Bird Key in Majora’s Mask

Go to the gate blocking access to Woodfall Temple in Southern Swamp. Unlock the gate with the Bird Key to open the path to Woodfall Temple.

Completing Woodfall Temple is required in Majora’s Mask to lift the curse placed on the Deku Tribe. The Bird Key is required to unlock the gate to the temple.

Getting the Bird Key in The Wind Waker

The Wind Waker has Link finding the Bird Key on Dragon Roost Island. Follow these steps:

1. Inside Dragon Roost Cavern, defeat Gohma to rescue Prince Komali.
2. Return to Medli outside and speak to Prince Komali. He will give you the Bird Key.

The Bird Key in The Wind Waker looks like a ruby bird-shaped emblem. It grants access to the Forest Haven area.

Using the Bird Key in The Wind Waker

Take the Bird Key to the small islet with the locked gate near Forest Haven. Match the emblem to unlock the gate and enter Forest Haven.

This allows you to meet the Great Deku Tree and continue the story. The Bird Key is required to unlock a major new area in The Wind Waker.

Obtaining the Bird Key in Link’s Awakening

The Bird Key in Link’s Awakening is found in the Eagle’s Tower dungeon. Here is how to get it:

1. Complete Eagle’s Tower until you reach the room before the boss door.
2. Solve the crystal switch tile puzzle in this room which unlocks a treasure chest.
3. Open the chest to obtain the Bird Key.

The Bird Key looks like a small golden bird statuette in Link’s Awakening. It opens the way to the Wind Fish.

Using the Bird Key in Link’s Awakening

With the Bird Key in hand, return to the overworld and unlock the gate blocking the path to the Wind Fish’s Egg. This allows access to the final Nightmare boss battle.

Getting the Bird Key is mandatory to complete Link’s Awakening and see the ending. It unlocks the way to the Wind Fish which wraps up the game’s story.

Getting the Bird Key in A Link Between Worlds

In A Link Between Worlds, the Bird Key is obtained partway through the Thieves’ Hideout dungeon. Here’s where to find it:

1. Work through Thieves’ Hideout until reaching a room with a treasure chest on a high ledge.
2. Merge into the wall as a painting to reach the ledge and open the chest.
3. Collect the Bird Key from inside the chest.

The Bird Key resembles a golden bird statue in A Link Between Worlds. It grants access to the House of Gales.

Using the Bird Key in A Link Between Worlds

With the Bird Key in your possession, go to the House of Gales in southeast Lorule. Unlock the door with the Bird Key to enter the dungeon.

Completing the House of Gales dungeon is required in order to obtain the Tornado Rod item. The dungeon itself is optional, but the Tornado Rod found inside is needed progress the story.

Getting the Bird Key in Skyward Sword

In Skyward Sword, you receive the Bird Key after completing the Earth Temple dungeon. Here’s how to get it:

1. Finish Earth Temple and defeat the boss Scaldera.
2. Exit the temple after the boss fight to meet with a Mogma who will give you the Bird Key.

The Bird Key looks like a black stone emblazoned with a red bird symbol. It grants access to Lanayru Desert.

Using the Bird Key in Skyward Sword

Take the Bird Key to the giant door covered in bird symbols at the entrance to Lanayru Desert. Place the Bird Key in the lock to open the door and enter the desert.

Accessing Lanayru Desert lets you continue the story and eventually reach the Lanayru Mining Facility dungeon. The Bird Key is mandatory for progression in Skyward Sword.

Obtaining the Bird Key in Twilight Princess

In Twilight Princess, you can find the Bird Key by completing the Lakebed Temple dungeon. Here’s how to get it:

1. Finish Lakebed Temple and defeat the boss Morpheel.
2. After the boss fight, grab the Heart Container and a treasure chest will appear.
3. Open the chest to obtain the Bird Key.

The Bird Key looks like a standard golden key with bird wings as the handle. It opens the way to the Arbiter’s Grounds.

Using the Bird Key in Twilight Princess

Take the Bird Key to the locked gate blocking access to Gerudo Desert and the Arbiter’s Grounds. Unlocking the gate with the Bird Key lets you continue the story and enter the desert area.

Reaching Gerudo Desert and completing Arbiter’s Grounds is required in order to obtain the Mirror of Twilight piece guarded there. The Bird Key is a crucial progression item.

Obtaining the Bird Key in Other Zelda Games

While most prominent in the games highlighted above, the Bird Key also appears in other Zelda franchise titles as well. Here’s a quick overview of where to get it in some other games:

• Link’s Awakening DX – Found in Eagle’s Tower, same as the original.
• Oracle of Ages – Received after completing Poison Moth’s Lair dungeon.
• Oracle of Seasons – Obtained after finishing Poison Moth’s Lair.
• Four Swords Adventures – Acquired partway through The Swamp dungeon.
• The Minish Cap – Obtained by fusing Kinstones with Strato after rescuing him.

The general concept remains the same, with the Bird Key unlocking access to important new areas in each game. It’s a recurring item that serves the same key (no pun intended) purpose across the franchise.

Conclusion

The Bird Key is an integral item in many Zelda games, allowing access to new dungeons and areas required for progression. Though the method for obtaining it varies between titles, its purpose as a gatekeeper item remains the same. Unlocking bird key doors opens up new environments to explore on Link’s quests. Given its significance, it’s no surprise why the Bird Key keeps reappearing throughout the Zelda series.