ALCATRAZ ISLAND – A seemingly innocuous delivery of a meticulously crafted cardboard birdhouse has thrown the notoriously secure prison of Alcatraz into a state of heightened alert, according to sources within the U.S. Marshals Service. The incident, which occurred shortly after 10:15 AM PST, involved a small, unmanned drone carrying the avian structure, reportedly launched from a concealed location within the prison’s recreation yard.

Initial reports indicate that the drone, operating on a rudimentary, yet surprisingly effective, navigational system, successfully navigated the perimeter defenses and deposited the birdhouse precisely on the roof of the main administration building. The delivery was observed by Officer Miller, a veteran of over 20 years on the island, who described the event as “completely baffling.” “I’ve seen a lot of strange things out here,” Miller stated during a brief press conference, “but a cardboard birdhouse? Seriously?”

The immediate aftermath saw a full lockdown of the facility, with all movement restricted and a significant increase in guard patrols. Intelligence analysts are currently examining the drone’s flight path and attempting to determine the sender’s identity. Theories range from a meticulously planned distraction to a symbolic gesture by the escapees.

“It’s… unsettling,” commented Warden Thompson in a terse statement released this afternoon. “We’re treating this as a serious security breach. The fact that they could execute such a complex operation with a simple, seemingly harmless object suggests a level of sophistication we hadn’t previously anticipated.”

The escapees themselves, Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clark Hester, remain at large. While the birdhouse’s purpose remains unclear, some speculate it may be a signal, a plea for help, or simply a deliberate act of defiance. “It’s a message, plain and simple,” asserted a source within the investigation team, speaking on condition of anonymity. “They’re saying, ‘We’re here. We’re still thinking.’”

The incident has renewed public interest in the 1962 escape, reigniting debate about the escapees’ motivations and the circumstances surrounding their disappearance. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual activity. The search for Morris, Anglin, and Hester continues, now with a new, perplexing element added to the already complex puzzle.