Determining which birds are halal to eat can be tricky for Muslims who want to follow the dietary laws set out in the Quran and Hadith. The Quran specifies that only certain types of meat are permissible (halal) for Muslims to consume. These are the meats of animals that chew their cud (e.g. cows, sheep, goats) and animals that have cloven hooves (e.g. cows, camels, pigs). However, the Quran does not specifically mention birds as being halal or haram (impermissible).
The hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) provide more detailed guidance on which animals are halal. There are some hadith that prohibit eating predatory birds that hunt with claws/talons such as hawks, eagles, vultures, and falcons. However, there is disagreement among Islamic scholars on whether all birds that hunt with claws are haram. Some argue that predatory birds which do not hunt and eat other animals (e.g. seagulls) may still be halal.
So which birds are definitively halal and which ones are questionable or haram? Here is a breakdown:
Birds that are Halal
Chickens: Chicken is perhaps the most common halal bird that is eaten regularly by Muslims. The entire chicken is halal, including the breast, wings, thighs and legs. Both broiler chickens raised specifically for their meat and egg-laying hens are acceptable to eat after they are slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.
Ducks: Most duck varieties are permissible to eat including wild ducks and domesticated ducks like the Pekin duck and Muscovy duck. One exception is the Mandarin duck which is protected in some areas.
Geese: Goose meat from domesticated or wild geese is halal as long as they are slaughtered properly. This includes greylag geese, bar-headed geese, snow geese and other species.
Turkeys: Turkeys of all types are halal as long as they fulfill the requirements for slaughter in Islam. This includes domesticated turkeys like the Broad-breasted White and wild turkeys.
Pigeons and doves: Meat from domesticated and wild pigeons and doves is allowed under Islamic law. This includes rock pigeons, Eurasian collared doves, mourning doves, and other species.
Ostriches: The large ostrich bird is halal to consume when slaughtered in the appropriate manner. Ostrich meat is becoming popular in gourmet cuisine.
Quail: Common quail, Japanese quail, and other quail species are permissible to eat for Muslims when prepared properly. Quail eggs are also halal.
Partridges: Partridges of nearly all varieties are halal, including chukar partridges, see-see partridges and grey partridges.
Birds that are Questionably Halal or Haram
Birds of prey: There is debate among Islamic scholars whether birds that prey on other animals such as hawks, eagles, vultures, owls and falcons are halal to eat. These birds typically hunt and eat rodents and small mammals. Some argue all predatory birds should be avoided while others believe only those birds that exclusively eat meat and do not prey on plant matter are haram.
Crows: Many scholars advise against eating crows because they are scavengers that sometimes eat dead meat. But others argue crows are permissible if captive raised and only fed halal foods.
Storks: Opinions differ on whether stork meat is halal. Storks are not predatory birds but their diet is broad and includes small fish, rodents and insects. More conservative scholars prohibit stork consumption while others allow it.
Pelicans: Like storks, pelicans have a varied diet that includes fish, amphibians and even small mammals on occasion. Due to their non-vegetarian diet, some scholars deem pelicans haram while others consider them halal if fed an appropriate diet.
Bustards: These large terrestrial birds are not predators but some species may eat carrion, insects or small vertebrates incidentally. Bustards like the kori bustard and great bustard fall under unclear halal status according to different Islamic schools.
Hoopoes: Hoopoes consume insects and some scholars prohibit them as they are unsure whether insects are halal or haram. But other scholars allow hoopoes due to their primarily insect-based diet.
Songbirds: Small songbirds like finches, sparrows, swallows and larks mainly eat plant matter. But some insects may be part of their diets too. There is debate whether it is permissible to eat common songbirds found around the world.
Prerequisites for Halal Birds
In order for any bird to be certified halal, it must meet certain requirements:
– Proper Islamic slaughter: The bird must have its throat slit by a Muslim who recites God’s name before cutting the bird’s veins and allowing the blood to drain out. Machines cannot be used to slaughter birds halally.
– No carrion eaters: Any birds that are scavengers and feast on dead meat are forbidden. Also, birds that eat other animals deemed haram are not permissible.
– Properly fed diet: The birds should be fed a vegetarian or halal diet if possible. Birds that are specifically raised and fattened for their meat must not consume any non-halal foods or ingredients.
– Cause of death: If the bird died from being improperly slaughtered, dying naturally or being killed by another animal, it cannot be deemed halal.
Prohibited Birds in the Quran
The only birds clearly prohibited in the Quran are birds of prey that hunt and eat other forbidden animals:
“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety…” (Quran 5:3).
Birds such as hawks, eagles and vultures which hunt and eat carrion would be prohibited based on this verse. But birds like chickens, turkeys and pigeons that eat lawful foods would be permissible.
Hadith on Permissible Birds
The hadith provide additional guidance on birds that are halal versus haram:
“Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prohibited eating of all fanged beasts of prey, and all the birds having talons.” (Sahih Muslim 1934a)
This hadith would prohibit most birds of prey including owls, hawks, eagles, kites, falcons, buzzards, vultures and osprey. But Islamic scholars disagree on whether non-predatory birds with claws like parrots and ostriches would also be forbidden by this hadith.
“Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prohibited the eating of all fanged beasts of prey, and all the birds having talons.” (Sahih Muslim 1934c)
“A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said: The meat of the vulture and the kite is not permissible.” (Sahih Muslim 1934d)
These hadith specifically prohibit vultures and kites which are aggressive scavenging birds of prey. But they do not mention whether all birds with talons are also forbidden.
Which Birds Do Islamic Scholars Prohibit?
Based on their interpretations of the Quran and hadith, different major Islamic schools prohibit eating the following birds:
– Hanafi: All predatory birds with talons and claws such as hawks, falcons, vultures, eagles and owls. Also crows, storks and hoopoes.
– Maliki: Predatory birds including hawks, falcons and owls. But they allow non-predatory birds with talons like chickens if hand-fed grain.
– Shafi’i: Predatory birds except the gharad which can only eat grain. Herbivorous birds with talons are halal.
– Hanbali: Owls only since other predatory birds might occasionally eat grain or plants, making them halal. Non-predatory claw-bearing birds are permissible.
– Ja’fari: Predatory birds that hunt with claws and talons. But they allow non-predatory birds like chickens even if they have talons.
So according to all major schools, predatory carnivorous birds that kill other animals for food like hawks, eagles and falcons are haram. But some schools like Shafi’i allow non-predatory birds with claws like chickens and ostriches to be halal.
Conclusion
Most birds are halal for consumption by Muslims under Islamic law. This includes common birds like chickens, turkeys, pigeons, doves, geese, quail, partridges, ostriches and ducks. Predatory birds that hunt with their talons and beaks are clearly haram. But there is debate around other species like storks, pelicans, crows, songbirds and non-predatory birds with talons. The safest approach is to eat non-predatory birds that are herbivorous or omnivorous and to avoid carrion-eating and potentially predatory species. Muslims should also ensure the birds are slaughtered properly and fed a halal diet. Following these guidelines allows Muslims to enjoy a wide variety of halal avian meats.