Wingspan Bonus Cards Explained: How End-of-Game Scoring Works
You keep 1 of 2 bonus cards at setup and score it at game end for birds that match its condition. How scoring works, how to get more, and which ones to keep.
Bonus cards are dealt at the start of the game and scored at the end. They can
swing 5–15 points — enough to decide the winner. Here's how to use them well.
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Quick Answer
You keep one bonus card at setup (from two dealt). It scores at game end based on birds in your tableau matching its condition. Don't force a bad bonus — the points from playing good birds usually outweigh chasing a mediocre bonus.
How Bonus Cards Work
1️⃣
During setup: You're dealt 2 bonus cards. Keep 1, discard the other face down.
2️⃣
During the game: Your bonus card stays hidden. Play birds that match its condition whenever possible, but don't sacrifice your engine for it.
3️⃣
End of game: Reveal your bonus card and score points based on qualifying birds in your tableau.
Common Bonus Card Types
Habitat-Based
Score for birds in a specific habitat (forest, grassland, or wetland). Easy to work toward since you're already placing birds in habitats.
Nest-Type
Score for birds with a specific nest type (bowl, cavity, platform, ground, star). Star nests count as wild for this purpose.
Food-Based
Score for birds that eat a specific food type. These synergize well with your food engine — if you're generating lots of fish, a fish-eater bonus is great.
Geographic / Anatomist
Score based on wingspan size, geographic region, or set collection. These tend to be harder to maximize but can score big if the right birds show up.