Rank these birds...

[detlefchef11]

So, the topic on crows got me thinking about how everyone thinks about the remaining birds after the big 5 are gone...

Here's a list of them in no particular order:

Common yellowthroat- bonus card porn and a great starting bird in the wetlands with better than average egg space
Spotted towhee- who doesn't like getting free food when you're laying eggs?
American Redstart- gets you earning a 2nd food right away and not just worms or wheat
Hummingbirds (maybe not the black chinned)- great VP to food cost value and very easy to play wherever you need it
Crows- of course. They were the genesis for this thread.
Chipping sparrow- if you get this down early in your forest it's gold.
Barn swallow- best of the tucking birds because of its star nest
House finch, purple Martin, violet swallow- tuck and draw are always nice
any of the free worm cards with the two that only cost one worm being a bit better.

I'm reluctant to put the Indigo Bunting in here because I've been burned by it in the grasslands and the Grosbeak is worth 1 more point if you play it in the forest.
Where do you put Bell's Vireo in here? Star nest is handy and it qualifies for a lot of bonus cards, plus much easier to play than the Atlantic Puffin
Bushtit can be good, but only if you have a vigorous source of cards. But it's the best of the tuck and lay if you can make it work.
I'll pick up either of the terns if they're there early because they're easy to play, have star nests, and they're very handy at building out your wetlands. But are they among the best? You do have to rank them slightly ahead of Clark's Grebe for no other reason that you can play them with a worm.
I'll also gladly take the Eastern Phoebe because of it's nice sized star nest and ease of playing, but I'm not sure it's top shelf

Am I missing your favorite? I'm sure I forgot some.

And, before you say it, obviously situation dictates this a lot. I'm talking big picture here.

[laggercat]

You can see performance statistics for over 4000 boards here (2 player only):
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/338978 ... -boards-2p

Here are the top 20 birds for winning percentage (minimum 50 plays)
The same bird played in different regions count as different birds (F=forest, G=grassland, W=water):
65 Northern Bobwhite (G) Lay 1 [egg] on this bird.
65 American Robin (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
64 Common Raven (G) Discard 1 [egg] from any of your other birds to gain 2 [wild] from the supply.
63 Atlantic Puffin (W) Draw 2 new bonus cards and keep 1.
63 Killdeer (G) Discard 1 [egg] to draw 2 [card].
63 Golden Eagle (G) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 100cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
62 Wood Duck (F) Draw 2 [card]. If you do, discard 1 [card] from your hand at the end of your turn.
61 Golden Eagle (W) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 100cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
61 Chipping Sparrow (F) Lay 1 [egg] on any bird.
61 Eastern Phoebe (W) All players gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
60 Chihuahuan Raven (G) Discard 1 [egg] from any of your other birds to gain 2 [wild] from the supply.
60 Red-Winged Blackbird (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, you may also lay 1 [egg] on this bird.
59 Greater Roadrunner (G) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 50cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
59 Sandhill Crane (G) Discard 1 [seed] to tuck 2 [card] from the deck behind this bird.
59 Lincoln's Sparrow (F) If this bird is to the right of all other birds in its habitat, move it to another habitat.
59 Barn Swallow (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
59 Black-Chinned Hummingbird (W) All players gain 1 [fruit] from the supply.
58 House Finch (W) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
58 Burrowing Owl (G) Roll all dice not in birdfeeder. If any are [rodent], cache 1 [rodent] from the supply on this bird.
58 Purple Martin (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
58 Barn Owl (G) Roll all dice not in birdfeeder. If any are [rodent], cache 1 [rodent] from the supply on this bird.

I think some of these are a little misleading. The Northern Bobwhite is a surprising top bird, which is likely because its a bird you are only playing if you already well set up and likely to win anyway. The cost of 3 grain is prohibitive unless you already have a good engine. The next list is a better indication of the strongest birds.

Here are the top 25 birds for winning percentage when played in the first column (minimum 50 plays, exclude the big 5):
66 Chipping Sparrow (F) Lay 1 [egg] on any bird.
66 Painted Whitestart (F) Gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
64 Brant (W) Draw the 3 face-up [card] in the bird tray.
64 American Robin (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
62 American Redstart (F) Gain 1 [die] from the birdfeeder.
61 Tree Swallow (W) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
61 Barn Swallow (W) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
61 Burrowing Owl (G) Roll all dice not in birdfeeder. If any are [rodent], cache 1 [rodent] from the supply on this bird.
60 California Condor (F) Draw 2 new bonus cards and keep 1.
60 Spotted Towhee (G) Gain 1 [seed] from the supply.
60 Common Yellowthroat (W) Draw 2 [card]. If you do, discard 1 [card] from your hand at the end of your turn.
60 Chipping Sparrow (G) Lay 1 [egg] on any bird.
60 Eastern Phoebe (F) All players gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
59 Greater Roadrunner (G) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 50cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
59 Mountain Bluebird (G) Play an additional bird in your [grassland]. Pay its normal cost.
59 Downy Woodpecker (F) Play an additional bird in your [forest]. Pay its normal cost.
58 Forster's Tern (W) Draw 1 [card]. If you do, discard 1 [card] from your hand at the end of your turn.
58 Juniper Titmouse (F) Cache 1 [seed] from the supply on this bird.
58 Fish Crow (G) Discard 1 [egg] from any of your other birds to gain 1 [wild] from the supply.
58 Barn Swallow (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
57 Red-Eyed Vireo (F) Play an additional bird in your [forest]. Pay its normal cost.
57 Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (F) Gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
57 American Oystercatcher (W) Draw [card] equal to the number of players +1. Starting with you and proceeding clockwise, each player selects 1 of those cards and places it in their hand. You keep the extra card.
57 Mallard (W) Draw 1 [card].
57 Carolina Wren (F) Draw 2 [card].

Note that the big 5 sit at around 70% win percentage when played in the first column - they are clearly the best birds.

If I could choose an opening hard it would be:
Common Yellowthroat
Painted Whitestart
Chipping Sparrow

I would probably discard the other 2 cards, regardless of what they were.

[bergerOUS]

If I could choose....
Spotted Towee
a hummingbird, or the Common Raven
and something for the Wetland
... I love the hummingbirds and other social birds, because they push the game for everyone. Not good to win but good for a fluent game.

[PaulB-UK]

Without any of the power 5, as a starting hand:

Towhee/American crow/barn swallow/ruddy duck (or similar, the yellow throat was used above)

You can get them all down with turns to spare, and you're well setup for the rest of the game.

[Beyeu]

Alongside the usual favourites like crows, towhee, tucking cards, and hummingbirds I have some personal faves:

Black crowned heron in starting hand or drawn first turn, especially if I have a mourning dove or red winged blackbird to put in wetlands. Once I have that set up and can eventually draw to a cheap social bird like a hummingbird or phoebe which gives me an extra source of food, I have almost never lost with that setup. I just have to keep drawing for strong grassland engine. It can burn you though if you don't get an extra source of food and rely on heron for all the food.

[detlefchef11]

Alongside the usual favourites like crows, towhee, tucking cards, and hummingbirds I have some personal faves:

Black crowned heron in starting hand or drawn first turn, especially if I have a mourning dove or red winged blackbird to put in wetlands. Once I have that set up and can eventually draw to a cheap social bird like a hummingbird or phoebe which gives me an extra source of food, I have almost never lost with that setup. I just have to keep drawing for strong grassland engine. It can burn you though if you don't get an extra source of food and rely on heron for all the food.

interesting. I can see the heron/dove/blackbird synergy but I would be hesitant to go down that road unlesss I had both. It wouldn't be able to bring myself to play a 3 food card in the wetlands, first, and without a reliable bird in the forest. after all, you can't even use the Heron for food until you have another bird to draw eggs from. So just the Heron would seem like a recipe for a very slow start.

You say "especially'" with a dove or blackbird. I see it as an absolute requirement.

[detlefchef11]

You can see performance statistics for over 4000 boards here (2 player only):
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/338978 ... -boards-2p

Here are the top 20 birds for winning percentage (minimum 50 plays)
The same bird played in different regions count as different birds (F=forest, G=grassland, W=water):
65 Northern Bobwhite (G) Lay 1 [egg] on this bird.
65 American Robin (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
64 Common Raven (G) Discard 1 [egg] from any of your other birds to gain 2 [wild] from the supply.
63 Atlantic Puffin (W) Draw 2 new bonus cards and keep 1.
63 Killdeer (G) Discard 1 [egg] to draw 2 [card].
63 Golden Eagle (G) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 100cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
62 Wood Duck (F) Draw 2 [card]. If you do, discard 1 [card] from your hand at the end of your turn.
61 Golden Eagle (W) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 100cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
61 Chipping Sparrow (F) Lay 1 [egg] on any bird.
61 Eastern Phoebe (W) All players gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
60 Chihuahuan Raven (G) Discard 1 [egg] from any of your other birds to gain 2 [wild] from the supply.
60 Red-Winged Blackbird (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, you may also lay 1 [egg] on this bird.
59 Greater Roadrunner (G) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 50cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
59 Sandhill Crane (G) Discard 1 [seed] to tuck 2 [card] from the deck behind this bird.
59 Lincoln's Sparrow (F) If this bird is to the right of all other birds in its habitat, move it to another habitat.
59 Barn Swallow (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
59 Black-Chinned Hummingbird (W) All players gain 1 [fruit] from the supply.
58 House Finch (W) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
58 Burrowing Owl (G) Roll all dice not in birdfeeder. If any are [rodent], cache 1 [rodent] from the supply on this bird.
58 Purple Martin (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
58 Barn Owl (G) Roll all dice not in birdfeeder. If any are [rodent], cache 1 [rodent] from the supply on this bird.

I think some of these are a little misleading. The Northern Bobwhite is a surprising top bird, which is likely because its a bird you are only playing if you already well set up and likely to win anyway. The cost of 3 grain is prohibitive unless you already have a good engine. The next list is a better indication of the strongest birds.

Here are the top 25 birds for winning percentage when played in the first column (minimum 50 plays, exclude the big 5):
66 Chipping Sparrow (F) Lay 1 [egg] on any bird.
66 Painted Whitestart (F) Gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
64 Brant (W) Draw the 3 face-up [card] in the bird tray.
64 American Robin (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
62 American Redstart (F) Gain 1 [die] from the birdfeeder.
61 Tree Swallow (W) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
61 Barn Swallow (W) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
61 Burrowing Owl (G) Roll all dice not in birdfeeder. If any are [rodent], cache 1 [rodent] from the supply on this bird.
60 California Condor (F) Draw 2 new bonus cards and keep 1.
60 Spotted Towhee (G) Gain 1 [seed] from the supply.
60 Common Yellowthroat (W) Draw 2 [card]. If you do, discard 1 [card] from your hand at the end of your turn.
60 Chipping Sparrow (G) Lay 1 [egg] on any bird.
60 Eastern Phoebe (F) All players gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
59 Greater Roadrunner (G) Look at a [card] from the deck. If less than 50cm, tuck it behind this bird. If not, discard it.
59 Mountain Bluebird (G) Play an additional bird in your [grassland]. Pay its normal cost.
59 Downy Woodpecker (F) Play an additional bird in your [forest]. Pay its normal cost.
58 Forster's Tern (W) Draw 1 [card]. If you do, discard 1 [card] from your hand at the end of your turn.
58 Juniper Titmouse (F) Cache 1 [seed] from the supply on this bird.
58 Fish Crow (G) Discard 1 [egg] from any of your other birds to gain 1 [wild] from the supply.
58 Barn Swallow (G) Tuck 1 [card] from your hand behind this bird. If you do, draw 1 [card].
57 Red-Eyed Vireo (F) Play an additional bird in your [forest]. Pay its normal cost.
57 Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (F) Gain 1 [worm] from the supply.
57 American Oystercatcher (W) Draw [card] equal to the number of players +1. Starting with you and proceeding clockwise, each player selects 1 of those cards and places it in their hand. You keep the extra card.
57 Mallard (W) Draw 1 [card].
57 Carolina Wren (F) Draw 2 [card].

Note that the big 5 sit at around 70% win percentage when played in the first column - they are clearly the best birds.

If I could choose an opening hard it would be:
Common Yellowthroat
Painted Whitestart
Chipping Sparrow

I would probably discard the other 2 cards, regardless of what they were.

Wow, that's quite a list and there are some surprises on it. You mentioned the Bobwhite (which is a bird I rarely go after), but also Barn Owl. That's tucking fodder for me unless it helps me with a bonus card or EOR goal. Also curious that the Juniper Titmouse is on there but the other cashing birds that you can play for just a worm or grain are not. If I have my choice, I'm taking the cheap ones over the Juniper 10 times out of 10. Well, at the start of the game at least.

I forgot about the Brandt, which can be a backbreaker to your opponent if there's a couple of good cards in the first tray. Carolina Wren to a lesser extent.