ARC Raiders regularly experiments with map modifiers, but Bird City is one of the few events that fundamentally changes how a location is played. Active only on Buried City, this rotating map condition reshapes movement, sound awareness, and loot priorities — turning vertical traversal into the dominant way to navigate and farm the map.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What the Bird City map condition is and when it appears
- How Bird City changes Buried City’s movement and risk profile
- Why rooftop routes outperform street-level play during the event
- Which loot types are worth prioritizing for efficient credit farming
- When to extract to maximize profits during Bird City runs
TL;DR — Is Bird City Worth Running in Arc Raiders?
- Bird City is a Buried City map condition that rotates weekly and appears in scheduled windows.
- Rooftops become the fastest traversal routes, best suited for short, repeatable farming runs.
- Large bird flocks act as loud sound traps when disturbed.
- Searchable chimneys add consistent loot, including trinkets and Rubber Ducks.
- One of the best low-risk credit farming events, especially in PvE-heavy lobbies.
What Is Bird City in Arc Raiders?
Bird City is a map condition that appears when Buried City is in rotation. It doesn’t introduce new objectives or bosses. Instead, it alters the environment in subtle but impactful ways, shifting the optimal playstyle away from streets and interiors toward vertical movement.
When Bird City is active, players are encouraged to think less about combat efficiency and more about movement discipline, sound control, and rooftop routing.
How Bird City Changes Buried City Gameplay
Bird City transforms Buried City into a vertical, traversal-focused map. The most important changes affect where players move, how visible they are, and what loot is worth prioritizing.
Bird City Map Modifiers Overview
| Modifier | Gameplay Impact |
| Increased Bird Flocks | Loud sound alerts when disturbed |
| Additional Ziplines | Faster, safer rooftop traversal |
| Searchable Chimneys | Reliable loot without entering buildings |
| Increased Trinkets | Higher credit income per run |
Together, these modifiers push players toward roof-based routes that minimize exposure to both ARCs and other raiders.
Why Birds Matter More Than Enemies in Bird City
The most noticeable change during Bird City is the Increased Birds modifier. Large flocks gather on rooftops and open structures throughout Buried City.
Birds are not dangerous on their own, but they function as environmental alarms:
- Disturbing them causes loud, visible takeoffs.
- The sound carries far across the map.
- Other players and ARCs can quickly converge on your position.
In Bird City, careless movement is often punished faster than aggressive play. Jumping, sprinting, or landing near birds without checking first can give away an otherwise safe route.
Bird behavior also compounds quickly. Triggering one flock often causes nearby flocks to react, especially around dense rooftop clusters. This creates cascading sound events that can turn a quiet route into a high-traffic area in seconds.
Why Rooftops Become the Best Routes
Bird City heavily favors players who stay above street level. Extra ziplines connect rooftops, making vertical travel faster and safer than moving through ground-level chokepoints.
| Aspect | Rooftops | Streets & Interiors |
| Enemy Presence | Fewer ground ARCs, occasional flying ARCs | Dense ground ARC patrols |
| Player Traffic | Concentrated near ziplines and high-value paths | Spread across chokepoints and interiors |
| Sound Risk | High near bird flocks, manageable with careful movement | Constant combat and ambient noise |
| Loot Access | Direct access to chimneys and nests | Requires clearing buildings and rooms |
| Escape Options | Multiple disengage options via ziplines and drops | Limited exits and tighter funnels |
| Overall Risk Profile | Low when moving deliberately | Medium to high, especially late raid |
Advantages of rooftop routing:
- Fewer ARCs patrol rooftops.
- Clear sightlines for threat detection.
- Easier disengage options via ziplines.
- Direct access to chimneys and nests.
However, rooftops are not entirely without risk. Because the event incentivizes everyone to move upward, rooftop density increases as the raid progresses. Zipline endpoints become predictable hotspots, and the increased presence of flying ARCs means that players exposed on high ridges can be spotted and pressured from angles that don’t exist during normal Buried City runs.
Rooftop play in Bird City rewards controlled movement. Walking, short drops, and careful zipline dismounts significantly reduce accidental bird triggers. Sprinting and long jumps should be reserved for repositioning, not traversal. Treating ziplines as “loud” shared highways rather than safe zones is key to survival.
What Loot Is Worth Farming During Bird City?
Bird City doesn’t add exclusive high-tier items, but it dramatically increases loot consistency, which is often more valuable for credit farming.
| Loot Type | Typical Source | Credit Value | Risk Level | Farming Priority |
| Trinkets | Chimneys, rooftops | High | Low | ★★★★☆ |
| Rubber Ducks | Chimneys (random spawns) | Medium | Low | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nature Items | Rooftops, nests | Low | Low | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Scrap | Rooftops, containers | Low | Low | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Trinkets sell for reliable credits and don’t require combat to obtain, making Bird City one of the safest money-making events in the game.
How Chimneys and Bird Nests Work
Most rooftop chimneys become searchable during Bird City. Chimneys are quick to check and don’t require entering buildings or clearing interiors.
Bird nests can also be found along rooftop paths. While they aren’t high-value on their own, they’re useful filler loot when moving between chimneys.
Some chimneys have a chance to contain special Rubber Ducks, which are collectible items tied specifically to Bird City rotations. Their spawns are random each run, so optimized routes matter more than memorizing locations.
Is Bird City Good for Credit Farming?
Yes — Bird City is one of the best low-risk credit farming events in Arc Raiders.
Why it works so well:
- High trinket density.
- Minimal combat required.
- Rooftop routes reduce PvP encounters.
- Chimneys provide predictable loot stops.
Efficient Bird City runs focus on movement over combat: clear rooftops, check chimneys along the way, and extract once your inventory is full.
Bird City favors shorter, repeatable runs over extended looting sessions. As raids progress, rooftop routes become noisier and more contested, reducing the safety advantage that defines the event. Early extractions often yield better credits per hour than pushing for full clears, as they avoid the late-raid player clustering and sound propagation that makes stealth nearly impossible.
Is Bird City Better in PvE or PvP Lobbies?
Bird City is most efficient in PvE-heavy lobbies, where rooftop routes can be cleared without constant pressure from other players. While PvP lobbies still offer good loot, the sound cues from birds make stealth harder when multiple squads are active.
For players focused on credits, collectibles, or relaxed farming, PvE rotations provide the best results.
Are There Exclusive Rewards in Bird City?
Bird City does not introduce unique weapons, gear, or permanent rewards. The only event-specific items are Rubber Ducks and increased trinket spawns.
That said, the sheer efficiency of farming during Bird City often outweighs the lack of exclusive drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bird City event in Arc Raiders?
Bird City is a rotating map condition that appears on Buried City. It modifies traversal, sound cues, and loot distribution by adding bird flocks, extra ziplines, and searchable chimneys. These changes encourage rooftop-focused play and reward careful movement over aggressive combat.
When does the Bird City event appear?
Bird City rotates weekly as a map condition and appears during scheduled time windows while Buried City is active. Players must queue during these windows to experience the event, making timing an important part of efficient farming.
Does Bird City add new rubber ducks to Arc Raiders?
Yes. Bird City introduces several collectible rubber ducks that can only spawn while the event is active. These ducks are tied specifically to Bird City rotations and do not appear during standard Buried City runs.
How many rubber duck variants can be found in Bird City?
Bird City includes multiple duck variants, such as familiar, alien, tropical, gentle, flashy, and doodly-style ducks. Not every variant appears in every run, and collecting them all typically requires multiple Bird City rotations.
Where are rubber duck locations in Bird City?
Rubber ducks primarily spawn inside searchable chimneys located on rooftops. Some may also appear near bird nests or along rooftop traversal routes, making vertical movement the most efficient way to hunt for them.
Are rubber ducks guaranteed spawns during Bird City?
No. Rubber duck spawns are randomized each run. While Bird City increases the chance of encountering ducks, players should focus on covering many chimneys rather than revisiting the same locations.
What are bird nests used for in Bird City?
Bird nests act as secondary loot points along rooftop paths. While they usually contain lower-value items, they provide consistent filler loot and help maintain steady credit gains between chimney checks.
Is Bird City good for credit farming?
Yes. Bird City is one of the most efficient low-risk credit farming conditions in Arc Raiders. Its high trinket density, predictable rooftop loot routes, and reduced reliance on combat make it ideal for repeatable farming runs.
What loot is most valuable during the Bird City event?
Sellable trinkets offer the best credit return during Bird City. Rubber ducks are valuable for collection purposes, while scrap, fruits, and metal parts serve as low-risk filler items when inventory space allows.
Are rooftops safer than streets during Bird City?
In most cases, yes. Rooftops reduce exposure to ground ARCs and interior chokepoints. However, risk increases near zipline endpoints and later in the raid as more players converge on rooftop routes.
Why do birds matter so much in Bird City?
Bird flocks function as environmental sound traps. Disturbing them causes loud, visible takeoffs that can alert nearby players and ARCs, often turning safe routes into contested areas very quickly.
Is Bird City better in PvE or PvP lobbies?
Bird City performs best in PvE-heavy lobbies, where rooftop routes can be cleared with minimal player interference. In PvP-heavy lobbies, bird sound cues make stealth more difficult as multiple squads compete for the same routes.
Should you stay longer or extract early during Bird City runs?
Early extraction is usually more efficient. As raids progress, rooftop routes become noisier and more crowded, which reduces credits earned per hour and increases the chance of unwanted fights.
Does Bird City introduce exclusive weapons or gear?
No. Bird City does not introduce exclusive weapons or permanent gear rewards. Its value comes from improved loot consistency, increased trinket spawns, and collectible rubber ducks.
Is Bird City a permanent feature in Arc Raiders?
Bird City is a recurring map condition rather than a permanent state. It cycles in and out of rotation alongside other minor map conditions, meaning players need to take advantage of it while it’s active.
