Can You Eat Peacocks? All You Need to Know!
Peacocks are terrestrial feeder birds that eat insects, plants, and even reptiles. These elegant birds have the most spectacular feathers among all birds. People believe that keeping peacock feathers attracts good luck and wealth.
But what about their meat; can you eat peacocks?
Yes, you can eat peacocks, their meat is edible, and it tastes similar to turkey meat. Both peafowl meat and eggs are safe to eat, and there are no legal regulations that can get you in trouble for consumption. In some parts of the world, peacock meat is a regular meal because it provides many nutrients.
In this article, we’ll dig deeper into regulations and laws on peacock meat in different countries. Also, we’ll see what does peacock meat and eggs taste like compared to chickens.
Let us dive right in!
Can You Eat Peacocks?
Feeding on peacocks dates back to medieval times, where the high social class had the privilege to eat peacocks. While poorer people of that time didn’t have those benefits, and so they only ate chicken meat.
In the modern world, consuming peacocks is both a taboo and completely normal thing. Depending on the country you live in, you will get different reactions to the question of whether you can eat peacocks.
In the U.S. and Europe, peacock meat is not something that people dine on weekly. It is a relatively small meat marketplace, and in most places, it falls under an exotic meal.
On the other side, in Asia, people used to eat peacocks regularly until recent law regulations. To which we’ll come back in a minute.
Related Post: Can You Eat Vultures?
What does peacock taste like?
Although many people are against killing and eating peacocks, both blue and green peacocks are edible and are quite tasty.
Compared to chicken meat, peacock tastes more flavorful and more tender. For some people, peacock meat tastes similar to turkey meat. The taste, of course, also depends on how the meat is prepared and seasoned.
In addition, the peacock diet and habitat affect its meat taste to a large degree.
You can probably find meat quality differences between farm-raised chicken versus the ones bought in stores.
The same goes for peacocks; the more natural they are raised, the tastier their meat is.
Is It Legal To Eat Peacocks?
Wildlife regulations and laws are important factors for protecting endangered species from extinction. Animal population vulnerability and many other aspects affect the legal regulations for different species.
Let’s see now what are the laws in different countries regarding peacocks.
Is it legal to eat peacocks in the U.S.?
In the United States, eating peacocks is completely legal. Unlike eating owls, or eating flamingos, which are protected bird species by the law, and so harming them can get you in trouble.
Peacocks are not marked as protected or endangered species, and there is no legal act that forbids peacock meat trade or consumption.
If you want to try peacock meat, a company called Exotic Meat Market is specialized in the distribution and selling of different kinds of wild animal meats, including peacocks.
Is it legal to eat peacocks in the U.K.?
In the UK, wild animal species are protected by Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
However, peacocks do not fall under protected species. As a result, you can eat peacocks in the UK without having to think about legal consequences.
Is it legal to eat peacocks in India?
In Asia, until the mid-60s’ almost every non-vegetarian had the opportunity to try the peacock. Peacock meat was fancy and delicacy dish.
Today, in India, peacocks are protected wildlife, and it is illegal to hunt or eat them.
Is it legal to eat peacocks in China?
Similar to the U.S. and U.K. laws, in China, there is a law that protects different wild species.
As for the blue peacocks (also known as Indian peacocks), they are legally eaten. On the other side, green peacocks are protected bird species, meaning their meat can’t be sold or bought legally.
Can You Eat Peacock Eggs?
Yes, you can eat peacock eggs. In fact, not that only they are edible, they are quite delicious.
So what does a peacock egg tastes like? When you try peacock eggs for the first time, you get the feeling that it tastes almost the same as chicken eggs. However, after you eat it for few times, you start noticing the differences.
Peacocks’ yolk is richer and tastes kind of sweeter than a chickens’ yolk. Whereas the white is almost the same as chickens’, yet there is less of it.
We must mention that peacock egg taste depends greatly on the bird’s lifestyle itself.
For instance, eggs from commercially kept birds versus free-roaming birds taste incomparably different. Yet, this applies to all poultry, not only to peacocks.
What do peacock eggs look like?
Peacock eggshells are thicker compared to hen eggs, and their color is usually white or grey. Besides the size, it looks pretty much the same as any other poultry egg.
When the breeding season starts, males start displaying their unique feather dance and rituals to attract females.
One male mates with two to five females. Each female lays four to eight eggs. Males are responsible for incubation until hatching, which lasts 28 days.
How big are peacock eggs?
As mentioned, peacocks’ eggs are bigger than the hens’. The size of a peacock egg is around 4 inches. And the weight can be from 3 ounces (85 grams) up to 4.2 ounces (120 grams).
To put it simply, one peacock egg is as big as three chicken eggs. For an average person, one peacock egg makes the perfect omelet.
Final Words
Peacocks are truly unique birds. Their appearance does not leave people indifferent.
And because of their look, for many people, the thought of killing and eating peacocks will arouse disgust.
If you are on the side to the ones that have nothing against consuming peacocks, in the United States, you can eat peacock meat and eggs without having to worry about animal protection laws.
When it comes to conservation status, the peacock population is stable.
