How to Get the Swift Albatross Feather in Old School RuneScape

If you’re working toward the Sailing collection log or gearing up to craft the Gale Catcher, one of the earliest hurdles you’ll encounter is securing the Swift Albatross Feather. With a 1/30 drop rate from Albatrosses and a decent market value-hovering around 1 million GP in the early days-this item is both useful and fairly lucrative. Some players even choose to buy OSRS gold so they can purchase the feather outright instead of farming it themselves. Whether you’re an Ironman assembling all five feathers by hand or a main looking to complete the log, this guide walks you step-by-step through the fastest and most efficient way to obtain one.

What the Feather Is Used For

Swift Albatross Feathers are a crafting component for the Gale Catcher, one of the more stylish and functional options introduced with the Sailing skill. Ironmen need to gather five feathers, while non-Iron players can either farm them or buy them directly from the Grand Exchange. Prices are slowly declining as more players farm the birds, but they still remain valuable.

Where to Find Albatrosses

Albatross spawns are scattered throughout the oceans of Gielinor, but the most convenient and commonly recommended spot is Asetaria (Etsyia). This island sits close to a dock, making it ideal for players who value fast resets, quick access, and minimal downtime between respawns.

Once you reach the shoreline, simply use the Summon Boat spell to bring your combat vessel to you. This saves a surprising amount of time, especially if you're repeatedly resetting for encounters or making supply trips.

Recommended Gear and Inventory Setup

Because Albatrosses don’t pose much danger but can be numerous, the goal is to maximize damage output while keeping your boat in good shape. Here’s the recommended setup:

Gear

· Best-in-slot Magic or Ranged gear

Both styles work well, but Magic tends to perform slightly smoother with standard combat boat cannon setups.

· Combat boat with cannons installed

Higher-tier cannons mean faster clear speed and less time per kill.

Inventory

· Ironwood repair kits (or any available repair kits)

You don’t need many-three to five will keep your hull and sails healthy during the grind.

· A handful of cannonballs

Not a full stack-just enough to support your cannons for a typical 20–40 kill session.

· Utility items for ocean encounters

Giant Clams and random nautical events can show up, so bring a few spare tools or food if your route commonly sees them.

Once your loadout is ready, sail a short distance from Asetaria’s dock to the cluster of Albatrosses circling the area.

How to Engage the Albatrosses Efficiently

When you arrive, stop your boat briefly to get everything running. Assign your steering crew member, load your cannons, and make sure your spotter-such as Virginia-has her job activated. She’ll help your cannons stay accurate and consistent.

Navigate into range of the Albatross group, open your cargo hold, and deposit:

· Cannonballs

· Repair kits

From here, your task is simple: start firing and shred through the flock. Albatrosses have modest health, and because they travel in loose clusters, you can maintain rapid kills with minimal repositioning.

Most players will see their feather drop in 20–40 kills, which lines up with the stated drop rate. In the example run, the feather dropped at 32 kills, almost exactly on-rate.

Securing the Collection Log Entry

When the Swift Albatross Feather hits your log, you’ll receive the familiar green highlight on your Sailing collection log. It’s always a satisfying moment-and an important stepping stone if your goal is full Sailing completion.

Final Tips

· Don’t linger too long. If you're over 60–70 kills dry, consider hopping worlds or taking a break for ocean events and clams.

· Ironmen: Gather your full stack of five feathers here; Asetaria is the safest and quickest location.

· Mains: If feather prices dip heavily, it may be more cost-effective to buy one later-but early on, farming is faster and free.

With your Swift Albatross Feather secured, you’re one step closer to mastering the Sailing collection log. Whether you earned it through steady grinding or used savings from cheap RS gold to speed up other parts of your progression, you’re now well on your way. Happy sailing-and good luck on your next drop!