Wingspan is a popular and award-winning board game designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and published by Stonemaier Games in 2019. In Wingspan, players compete to attract birds to their wildlife preserves by collecting birds and playing bird cards. Each bird has unique abilities and point values, so choosing which birds to play is an important strategic decision. For new players just learning the game, deciding which bird to start with can be overwhelming given the 170 unique birds available. This article will provide an overview of some of the best starter birds for new Wingspan players based on bird abilities, point values, and ease of use.
Birds With Strong Card Draw Abilities
Some of the best birds for new Wingspan players are ones with abilities that allow you to draw additional cards into your hand. Drawing more cards gives you more options to choose from each turn. Here are some top starter birds with card draw powers:
Blue Jay
The Blue Jay has a card power that allows you to draw a card whenever you add it to a habitat. This gives you an immediate way to refill your hand when playing the Blue Jay. It’s also a common bird worth 1 point, making it readily available from the bird feeder.
American Crow
The American Crow lets you draw a card when activating wetlands, one of the main habitat types. With two of these birds in wetlands, you can draw up to 2 extra cards each turn by activating those habitats. The American Crow is an uncommon bird worth 2 points.
Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing allows you to draw a card whenever you play a fruit food token. This synergizes well with birds that produce fruit. The Cedar Waxwing is also a higher value uncommon bird worth 3 points.
Bird | Ability | Frequency | Point Value |
---|---|---|---|
Blue Jay | Draw 1 card when added to habitat | Common | 1 |
American Crow | Draw 1 card when activating wetlands | Uncommon | 2 |
Cedar Waxwing | Draw 1 card when playing fruit | Uncommon | 3 |
Birds With Low Food Costs
Another trait that makes birds easy to play for beginners is having low food costs. Birds like these allow you to get more cards in play without needing as many food resources:
Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove only requires 1 grain food to play. This makes it one of the cheapest birds in the game resource-wise. The Mourning Dove is a common 1 point bird.
American Kestrel
The American Kestrel costs 1 mouse food to play. This raptor synergizes well with other birds that produce mice like the Field Mouse. It is an uncommon 2 point bird.
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Pigeon is another super affordable bird that just needs 1 grain food to play. It also produces grain when activated, helping generate food. This common bird is worth 1 point.
Bird | Food Cost | Frequency | Point Value |
---|---|---|---|
Mourning Dove | 1 grain | Common | 1 |
American Kestrel | 1 mouse | Uncommon | 2 |
Rock Pigeon | 1 grain | Common | 1 |
High Point Value Birds
While abilities and resource costs are important, point values also can’t be ignored in Wingspan. Some birds simply provide more points for the space they take up in your habitats. Here are some of the top starter birds based on point values:
Red-Winged Blackbird
This wetland bird is worth a strong 3 points while only requiring 1 insect food to play. The Red-Winged Blackbird is a common bird making it easily accessible.
Brown Thrasher
With 4 victory points, the Brown Thrasher offers great scoring for only needing 1 food of any type to play. It also draws a card when activated.
Killdeer
As a rare bird worth 5 points, the Killdeer provides one of the best point values in the game. It still just costs 1 insect or seed food too.
Bird | Food Cost | Frequency | Point Value |
---|---|---|---|
Red-Winged Blackbird | 1 insect | Common | 3 |
Brown Thrasher | 1 any food | Uncommon | 4 |
Killdeer | 1 insect or seed | Rare | 5 |
Easy to Use Starter Birds
When first learning Wingspan, birds with straightforward abilities can also be easier to work with while you get familiar with game mechanics. Here are some birds that fit that criteria:
Mourning Dove
As mentioned previously, the Mourning Dove has a cheap food cost. It also has a simple ability producing 1 grain food when activated.
Blue Jay
The card draw power of the Blue Jay is easy to leverage. No complex strategizing needed – just add it to a habitat and draw a card.
American Robin
This common forest bird is worth 2 points and gets you more cards. When activated it lets you pay 1 food to draw 1 card. Simple yet useful.
Bird | Ability | Frequency | Point Value |
---|---|---|---|
Mourning Dove | Produce 1 grain | Common | 1 |
Blue Jay | Draw 1 card when added | Common | 1 |
American Robin | Pay 1 food: Draw 1 card | Common | 2 |
Conclusion
With so many unique bird options, deciding where to start when first learning Wingspan can be daunting. Focusing on birds with strong card draw abilities, low resource costs, high point values, and straightforward effects is a good approach for beginners. The Blue Jay, American Crow, Mourning Dove, Red-Winged Blackbird, and American Robin are examples of excellent starter birds that meet these criteria. Trying a variety of birds and finding combinations that work well together is part of the fun and strategy of Wingspan. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your favorites!