How to Get a Dragon Head in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Dragon heads generate on the bow of End ships, the flying structures next to some End cities. Break it with anything - it always drops itself - and there is exactly one per ship.

What you need

Access to the outer End islands
Ender pearls or blocks for bridging
Shield and bow for shulkers

Step by step

Beat the ender dragon and use an End gateway to reach the outer End islands.
Find an End city with an End ship floating beside it - only some cities have one.
Bridge or fly (elytra) from the city's tallest tower to the ship. Shulkers guard the whole area, so bring a shield and a bow.
The dragon head sits on the ship's bow, facing forward. Break it with any tool or your fist - it drops itself every time, and explosions drop it too.
Use it as a trophy, wear it as a helmet, power it with redstone to make its jaw open and close, or place it on a note block for the ender dragon roar sound.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical in Java and Bedrock: one head per End ship bow, always drops itself, redstone-powered jaw animation and note-block roar work in both.

Versions: Dragon heads were added in the Combat Update (1.9, 2016) alongside End cities and End ships. Unlike other mob heads, it never drops from a charged-creeper kill - the End ship is the only source.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ender dragon drop its head?

No. Killing the dragon never drops a head, and it is the one mob head you cannot get from a charged creeper explosion. End ships are the only source.

What does a redstone-powered dragon head do?

It opens and closes its mouth twice per second while powered. The same animation plays when a moving player, mob or armor stand wears it.

Does wearing a dragon head stop the dragon attacking you?

No - unlike other heads, it changes no mob behavior. The ender dragon attacks you as usual. One bonus: wearing it hides you from other players on locator maps.