These corvid birds were domesticated and bred a long time ago from some kind of magpie, jay, or crow. They are clever and sociable, and also hardy and easy to take care of, generally able to adapt to any weather pattern with insulated shelter.
These birds weigh 8-12 ounces (a little smaller than a crow) and come in two potential color patterns: melanistic (black) or leucistic (white). In either case, the messenjay has a stripe of colored feathers midway through the wing, which can be ANY color, and is visible from above or below, whether the wing is folded or not. Their eyes match this color as well. Whenever one purchases a messenjay, they can typically find their favorite color!
Messenjays are raised and trained by the postmaster, but can be owned by anyone. Wealthier families likely have a coop of their own on their property. Messenjays wear a magical anklet that allows them to understand a request to find a specific person within 20 miles. A messenjay carrying a message turns invisible and cannot be tracked.