Birds of a Feather (2015) Board Game

Birds of a Feather is a card game designed by Trevor Fristoe and released in in 2015. The game is published by Nothing Sacred Games and falls under the categories of Animals, Card Game, and Educational. Players are tasked with collecting sets of bird cards to score points and compete against each other in a fun and educational way.

Game Components of Birds of a Feather

60 illustrated playing cards depicting 35 different bird species across five habitats: desert, ocean, wetlands, forest, and mountains.

Scoresheets for tracking birds seen.

Optional scoring app.

Rulebook with various game variants.

How To Setup Birds of a Feather

To set up the game, players are dealt a large hand of cards. For two to three players, each player gets four hands of 15 cards, with the remaining hands used for dummy players. For seven players, each player gets eight cards, with the remaining cards going unused. Players can use a scoring app or physical scoresheets to track their progress.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Card Play: Each player selects a card from their hand and places it face down, then reveals them simultaneously.

Habitat Matching: Players score points by marking off birds from the same habitat as their played card, including birds played by other players and those lingering from the previous round.

Raptor Variant: Optional raptor cards can be played to scare away all birds in the same habitat from the previous round.

Card Drafting Variant: Players can draft their starting hand for a more strategic game.

Objective: The goal is to see the most unique bird species and complete sets from each habitat to earn bonus points. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

**Birds of a Feather** offers a light and engaging gameplay experience that feels akin to going birdwatching. Players identify birds, their habitats, and strategize to maximize their scores. The game is easy to learn, making it accessible to children, yet it retains enough strategic depth to appeal to more experienced gamers. The beautiful and dynamic card art, which includes color and symbol coding for colorblind accessibility, adds to the game’s appeal.

Pros

Multiple Game Variants: Offers various modes of play, including solo mode, card drafting, and raptor powers, providing flexibility for different player counts and play styles.

Attractive and Accessible Design: The cards are well-designed, eco-friendly, and include features for colorblind players.

Quick and Engaging: Short playtime and simple rules make it a great filler game.

Educational Element: Includes facts about the birds, especially in the solo mode app.

Cons

Packaging Issues: The eco-friendly tape used to seal the game can damage the box art.

Luck of the Draw: The game relies heavily on the luck of the draw, which can lead to frustrating outcomes if a player’s hand does not favor their strategy.

Individual Hand Variance: Some cards, like raptors and rare birds, can be highly valuable or rare, leading to uneven gameplay experiences.

Personal Thoughts on Birds of a Feather

**Birds of a Feather** is ideal for those who enjoy light strategy games with a strong thematic focus. It is a great option for bird enthusiasts and families looking for a quick, fun game that still offers some depth. The various game variants ensure that the game remains fresh and challenging, even for more experienced gamers. However, those seeking a game with less luck-based outcomes might find the reliance on the draw somewhat frustrating. Nonetheless, it is a solid choice for anyone looking to add a thematic and engaging game to their collection.

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