The New York Times’ Strands puzzle for February 2nd (#701) challenges players to identify themed words hidden within a grid of letters. Today’s theme is “Formidable Flock”, featuring various species of large birds.
Decoding the Puzzle
Players begin by finding any words containing four or more letters to unlock in-game hints. The puzzle reveals theme words once three qualifying words are discovered. Example words to start with include RICH, TAPE, DRAW, and WARD.
The Answers
The non-spangram answers for today’s puzzle are:
- RHEA
- CONDOR
- OSTRICH
- PELICAN
- PENGUIN (appears twice)
- CASSOWARY
The spangram—a theme word that spans the entire grid—is BIGBIRDS. It begins with the letter “B” five rows down from the top-left corner and winds vertically and horizontally across the board.
Why This Matters
Strands, like other NYT games such as Wordle and Connections, has become a daily habit for many. The puzzle’s rising popularity reflects a broader trend of word-based games that test vocabulary, pattern recognition, and deduction skills. The puzzles provide a mental challenge accessible to a wide audience and have contributed to the New York Times digital subscription growth.
