In 1772, Oiseau was under Captain De Plas, and attached to the Escadre d'évolution under Orvilliers.

[2] In 1775, she was again attached to the Escadre d'évolution, this time under Captain Bausset and Admiral Guichen.

[6] On 31 January 1779, as she escorted a convoy from Brest to Saint-Malo, Oiseau encountered the British 32-gun frigate HMS Apollo.

The captain of Oiseau, Tarade, signaled the cutter Expéditive to lead the convoy, and detached to attack Apollo.

In the subsequent battle, Oiseau lost her foretop, and struck her colours.