Blue-headed Tundra Pigeons
Fjúnic: Þúnídis /θuːnitɪːs/
Hmargic: Rerhronn /ɺɛːɺɺ̥ɔnː/
Q'eillic: Lla'ap'ei /ʎ̥aʔaːpʼaiː/
Blue-headed tundra pigeons1, commonly known as blueheads or blue-beaks, are a species of Tundra Pigeons found primarily in Rúþría in the northern Southlands. Along with the speckled species, they are the only kinds of tundra pigeons to have successfully adapted to the new fauna, flora and urban living introduced there by settlers from across Borgalor over the last few centuries, to the point that their numbers in towns and cities far outweigh those in the wild.
Hmargic: Rerhronn /ɺɛːɺɺ̥ɔnː/
Q'eillic: Lla'ap'ei /ʎ̥aʔaːpʼaiː/
Blue-headed tundra pigeons1, commonly known as blueheads or blue-beaks, are a species of Tundra Pigeons found primarily in Rúþría in the northern Southlands. Along with the speckled species, they are the only kinds of tundra pigeons to have successfully adapted to the new fauna, flora and urban living introduced there by settlers from across Borgalor over the last few centuries, to the point that their numbers in towns and cities far outweigh those in the wild.
Basic Information
Dietary Needs and Habits
In the wild, blueheads feed primarily on various seeds and berries when in season along with insects, while those found in urban environments eat discarded food as well, often competing with seagulls and -in eastern Rúþría- speckled tundra pigeons.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Due to their large populations in towns and cities, blueheads have been eaten by the people of Rúþría for centuries, particularly in the countries of Númra, Fjún and Tos Q'eillen, with the notable exception of Hmarg, where the birds' plumage (notably the crest) is valued for featherwork and speckled tundra pigeons are eaten instead as substitute for Palm Fowl.
The exact ways the birds are cooked varies: Fjúnans traditionally flavour the meat with sweet cherries or use them for savory stews or pigeon pies. Such pies are even more popular among Númrans along with pigeon dumplings, though the meat is usually paired with blueberry sauce there, and bluehead squab is an important part of q'eillan cuisine, especially in recent years due to ti'eian influence.
The exact ways the birds are cooked varies: Fjúnans traditionally flavour the meat with sweet cherries or use them for savory stews or pigeon pies. Such pies are even more popular among Númrans along with pigeon dumplings, though the meat is usually paired with blueberry sauce there, and bluehead squab is an important part of q'eillan cuisine, especially in recent years due to ti'eian influence.
1Original icelandic: hnúðdúfur, singular: hnúðdúfa.
Male blue-headed tundra pigeon by Lappalingur
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Southlands
Average Weight
~370g in the wild, ~400g in cities
Average Length
~38 cm
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
As the name would imply, the head and beak of the males during mating season are blue with white and darker blue markings, some reaching down to the chest or nearly to the tail, while most of the body is light brown. Females have duller blue heads similar to males outside mating season, though without any markings, but both sport bright blue eyes and tail feathers with blue and white tips
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