Messenger Pigeon

The Messenger Pigeon is a type of bird that at one time, was the most common way of using them as a primary form of communication. Although falcons and ravens were used, Pigeons were seen as the cheapest and reliable way to deliver mail.

Early Uses
It is not exactly known when the first Messenger Pigeons were used, but the Messenger Pigeon possibly descended from the common Boulder Pigeon, which is found on the continent of Nieden. They are significantly different due to the pattern on their backs and wings, as well as having a famous red mark on their head plume, as well as parts of their feathers. Southern Variants of Messenger Pigeons usually had slightly blue-er plumes.

Decline
During The Ferrymen War, many messenger birds were used, some of them, so much irritating one of the nation leaders, which was Sareariel Lelya-Earcala of the Aurlûnor Velande, that she would have them killed as soon as they entered the territory. Charon would later try to weaponize them as an annoyance campaign against the Velande, and in response, after repeated letters warning them of war, she would retaliate, by sending the Maerun Falcon after them. As many as half of the messenger pigeon population in the region was killed.

A huge wave of Messenger Pigeons fled Charon in a huge panic, followed by a swarm of over as many as a hundred Maerun Falcons that were seen over Posavaria. Following this, Messenger Pigeons became less commonly used, as invasive Maerun Falcons would eat them. Rathnir Nations now rarely use Messenger Pigeons, and would instead, turn to the use of magic, on foot messengers or stronger and smarter birds such as Crows, Ravens or Falcons to send their mail.