So you’ve reached Weapons Expert 3 in Red Dead Redemption 2. You’re staring at that requirement—kill 3 birds of prey using only a tomahawk—and probably thinking about how miserable it’s going to be to lead a shot on a flying eagle while your Dead Eye meter drains into nothingness. Honestly? You’re making it too hard. Most people spend hours scanning the skies of West Elizabeth or stalking the cliffs of Ambarino, only to have a hawk fly off the second they get within thirty yards.
It doesn't have to be a nightmare. In fact, if you know which birds actually count and where they like to hang out, you can knock this out in less than ten minutes.
What Actually Counts as a Bird of Prey?
Here is the biggest misconception that trips people up: you don’t need a Golden Eagle or a Ferruginous Hawk to check this box. While those certainly count, the game is surprisingly generous with its definition of "predatory."
Basically, if it eats meat or scavenges, it counts. This includes:
- Ravens and Crows: These are everywhere. They are your best friend for this challenge.
- Vultures: Common in New Austin and around the battlefields of Lemoyne.
- Owls: Harder to find since they’re nocturnal, but they count.
- Eagles and Hawks: The "prestige" targets that usually sit on high rocks or bridge railings.
If you’re struggling to find an eagle, just stop looking for them. Seriously. Go find a murder of crows and you're halfway there.
The "Lazy" Way: Witches Cauldron and Baited Kills
If you want the absolute easiest path, head up to the northern part of Ambarino, just above the "N" in the word Ambarino on your map. There’s a spot called the Witches Cauldron.
Inside this creepy little hut, there is almost always a raven perched on a shelf or by the window. It’s basically a prop bird. It won’t fly away unless you literally bump into it. You can walk right up, throw your tomahawk, and get 1/3 progress instantly.
The "pro" move here? Camp nearby, sleep for a day, and come back. The raven often respawns. If it doesn't, save your game and reload. It’s a bit cheeseball, but if you’re tired of chasing hawks, it works.
The Baiting Method
If the witch hut feels too much like cheating, use the "Carcass Strategy."
- Shoot a deer or a hog.
- Skin it (this seems to attract scavengers faster).
- Walk about twenty yards away and crouch in some bushes.
- Wait about sixty seconds.
Ravens and vultures will drop out of the sky like clockwork. Once they land and start pecking at the meat, they are sitting ducks—literally. You can even use Dead Eye to lock onto their heads to ensure you don't miss and lose your tomahawk in the grass.
📖 Related: Persona 5 Royal for Switch: Is It Actually the Best Way to Play?
Best Locations for Fast Completion
If you want to do this "legit" without waiting for carcasses to rot, there are a few fixed spawns that are incredibly reliable.
The Bard’s Crossing Bridge
This is that massive railway bridge south of Valentine. If you ride across it slowly, you’ll often find vultures or hawks perched on the wooden railings. Since they are confined to the rail, they have a very predictable flight path if they do get spooked. Just make sure you don't fall off the bridge while trying to retrieve your weapon.
Lake Owanjila
The rocks around the western edge of Lake Owanjila (near Strawberry) are prime real estate for eagles. You can usually find one sitting on a rock near the water's edge looking for fish. Use Scent Cover Lotion if you’re having trouble getting close enough for a throw.
Bolger Glade
Down in Lemoyne, this old battlefield is crawling with crows and vultures. Because the area is relatively flat and open, it’s very easy to spot birds on the ground from a distance and sneak up for the kill.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use Improved Tomahawks unless you really need the extra range. The standard ones are fine. The real issue is usually the "Only a Tomahawk" rule—make sure you aren't accidentally weakening the bird with a Varmint Rifle first. It has to be a one-shot kill with the thrown weapon.
Also, watch your retrieval. If you miss and the bird flies away, go find your tomahawk immediately. You don't want to run out of ammo in the middle of the wilderness. If you do, hit up a Fence (the one at Emerald Ranch is the most convenient) to restock.
Your Path to the Weapons Expert Gun Belt
Completing this challenge isn't just for bragging rights. Finishing Weapons Expert 3 unlocks the Weapons Expert Gun Belt at the Trapper. Like all reinforced gear, this gives you a permanent boost to your stats (in this case, your Health) once you have the full set.
🔗 Read more: Wordle July 4th: Why the Holiday Puzzle Always Feels a Little Different
To wrap this up and move on to Weapons Expert 4, your best bet is to head to a high-traffic scavenger area like Bolger Glade or the Big Valley plains. Kill a medium-sized animal, wait for the ravens to land, and use Dead Eye to pick them off one by one. If you're quick, you can actually get all three kills from a single carcass in about two minutes.
Once you see that notification pop up in the corner of your screen, you’re done. Head to the nearest Trapper to claim your gear and prepare for Challenge 4, which involves shotgun kills with crafted ammo—a much noisier affair than the silent tomahawk.