Family game nights are a fantastic bonding experience, a sacred tradition where laughter, competitive streaks, and the occasional cries of “You cheated!” and temper tantrums reign supreme. But if you want to play a game that it is fun and quirky (and doesn’t end with the board being flipped over) then you have to try Birdy Call. A game so delightfully bizarre, you’ll be cackling like hens and squawking like parrots in no time. Think of it a really bizarre game of noisy Snap! Kah Kawww!
In the box:
- 40 Normal Bird Cards (20 Male / 20 Female)
- 11 Eggstra Bird Cards
- 25 Eggs
- Instructions
Birdy Call is a card game that will have you flapping, squawking, clucking and chirping, basically pretending to be birds (and not the delightful noises you hear outside your window on a glorious Spring morning). The idea is to try and collect as many eggs as you can by using bird calls to attract your mate – it’s like a feathery Blind Date! But watch out for the Pairrots, they are very good mimickers and could cost you dearly.
To setup, take the 40 Normal Bird Cards (they will have a male or female symbol in the top right corner), give them a good shuffle and deal them to each player – depending on the number of players this will vary: 3 players = 7 cards each, 4 players = 5 cards each and 5-6 players = 4 cards each. Place the remaining cards in a stack (face down) on the table. Place the 25 eggs in the middle of the table.
To play is easy, and noisy … and chaotic! The frantic fun kicks in when everyone starts shouting their unique bird calls at the same time. It’s absolute chaos, like a wildlife documentary crossed with a comedy sketch. No talking is allowed during the game, just bird calls! Count down from three and on zero all players look at their cards and start the bird calling. Listen carefully for a call that matches your own (will it be a Waven or Wouldpeckher, a Bummingbird or Birb or maybe a Skinguin or Starerow). If you think you hear a match slide your card face down towards the matching player and when the cards meet, turn over the cards – if they match (should have the same name, and one should be male and the other female), both players receive an egg and take a new card from the stack. The game continues this way until all the eggs have been taken – the player with the most eggs wins! But be careful, there are 11 Eggstra Bird Calls and these can see you lose those precious eggs.
Overall, Birdy Call is an eggs-cellent game, one full of noise and laughter. It is easy to play and don’t worry if you don’t know your bird calls as you will find prompts on the bottom of each card – for example, a Buffin’ will be “Hag Hag” and a Magapplepie will be “Pruuu, Pruuu!”.
It is a quick game to learn and play, will each round only taking about 10 minutes. You can play again and again – or until you lose your voice (from all those bird calls or pure laughter). And it is perfect for all ages, it is one of those rare gems where both kids and adults can squawk, err shine, and anybody can win.
As for the cards, they are all brightly coloured and feature some comical and even bizarre looking feathered friends. And as there are only two cards of the same bird, the male and the female, there is no squabbling over matches.
If you want a hilarious and absurd game to add to your game collection then Birdy Call is a must-have. Dignity flies out the window when your owl impression (Ooooh, Hoooo!) descends into belly-hurting laughter.
A simple game to learn and play that is noisy wonderful fun. The box is small enough to take with you and play anywhere, so perfect for holidays. Gather your flock, and embrace the glorious nonsense that is Birdy Call. Who knows? You might just discover your inner Sdork and don’t forget to “Talk birdy to me!”
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £14.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.
