Wingspan: The Board Game Apr 2026

Hargrave compiled a dataset of over 500 bird species with 100 columns of data—including wingspans, diet, and habitat—sourced from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society .

Elizabeth Hargrave, a healthcare policy consultant and avid birder, began designing Wingspan in 2013 out of frustration with repetitive board game tropes. Her goal was to create a "gamer’s game" that remained scientifically grounded. Wingspan: The Board Game

The bird powers were designed to reflect real-world biology. For example, predatory birds "eat" others (tucking cards for points), while vultures gain food when others make a "kill". Gameplay: The "Engine-Building" Ecosystem Hargrave compiled a dataset of over 500 bird