There’s a story making its rounds across social media about a Florida man who recently was arrested when it was discovered that he ate a couple of his pet peacocks. As you might expect many people are in an uproar.
As the story goes, the Tampa area man had pet peacocks which he butchered, cooked and ate. According to Florida law – while peacocks are not native to the state and therefore considered not endangered – a person can be convicted in this situation under the state’s anti-cruelty law which protects all animals in Florida.
However, the legality of peacock consumption in the United States is a bit more complex and not as cut and dried as you might think. As a Facebook relationship status might say… “It’s Complicated”.
When it comes to regulations regarding peafowl, they vary depending on where you live. California has no statewide protection for the bird. Texas regards the bird as “domestic poultry”. In many areas in the U.S., the peacock is considered an “invasive species” as it was introduced to this country from places including India. Many peacocks were kept as pets and were released into the wild – mainly in warmer climates – and now roam free. Those peacock cause damage to gardens AND property. Think of whitetail deer being considered a nuisance due to destroying northeast Wisconsin gardens. There is a similar attitude to the peacock in other parts of the country. Much of the regulation happens at the county or local level no matter what the state.
Peafowl – although mainly known for their beautiful visual appearance – are considered a delicacy. Their meat and eggs are utilized around the world and yes, also here in the U.S. You can buy peacock meat online and have it shipped anywhere in North America. In a 1979 article featured in the New York Times, a woman discussed having peafowl served at her wedding and described the meat as similar to “a very young turkey or an oversized but very tender chicken.”
While it’s difficult for most people to imagine a peacock as anything other than a visually stunning animal, they can and are used as a meat source. However, if you are gastronomically adventurous and want to try one, be mindful of local ordinances pertaining to the peacock before moving forward or you might be breaking the law.
