Humans and their hominid relatives have consumed eggs for millions of years. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especially chickens. People in Southeast Asia began harvesting chicken eggs for food by 1500 BCE. Eggs of other birds, such as ducks and ostriches, are eaten regularly but much less commonly than those of chickens. People may also eat the eggs of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Fish eggs consumed as food are known as roe or caviar.
Fried eggs and carrots with Parmesan and cream
Ancient Egyptian depictions of offerings at the tomb of Menna, including a basket of eggs
Quail eggs (upper left), chicken egg (lower left), and ostrich egg (right)
Collected chicken eggs and quail eggs in a wicker basket
The chicken is a large and round short-winged bird, domesticated from the red junglefowl of Southeast Asia around 8,000 years ago. Most chickens are raised for food, providing meat and eggs; others are kept as pets or for cockfighting.
Image: Male and female chicken sitting together
Image: GLW 2 global distributions of c) chickens
Comb of male
Comb of female, generally smaller