How Messenger Pigeons Work
Pigeon post explained
Okay, little birdie, listen carefully. I want you to deliver this letter to 221 B Baker Street, London. It’s near Regent’s Park, next to Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, in the Marylebone district of the City of Westminster. You know where that is, right?
Ah, silly me. You’re a carrier pigeon. Of course you know! Alright then, have a good flight and watch out for those hungry sharks! I’ve seen some of them jump quite high into the air. Au revoir!
…
Wait! No! London is the other way!
Despite what you may have read in Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, you cannot use birds to send messages wherever you want, regardless of the species you choose, whether it’s owls, ravens, or penguins. The only way to make sure a bird delivers a message to an arbitrary address is by stuffing it in a cardboard box and sending it off via FedEx.
In fact, not even pigeons will take the time to read the recipient’s address. Most will…
