Which writing tool was historically made from bird feathers and reeds?

The historical tool made from bird feathers and reeds is a pen. This writing instrument, specifically known as a quill pen, was crafted from the flight feathers of birds, commonly geese or swans. The shaft of the feather would be hollowed out and shaped to create a nib, which would then be dipped in ink for writing. Quill pens were prevalent before the advent of modern fountain pens and other ink-based writing tools.

While pencils, conte crayons, and brushes serve various functions in both writing and art, they do not share the same historical origins as quill pens. Pencils are primarily made of wood and graphite, conte crayons are made for drawing and blending colors, and brushes are used for painting, which typically employ different materials altogether. Thus, the pen is distinct in its traditional composition and method of use, validating it as the correct answer.