<P> Bird eggs are a common food and one of the most versatile ingredients used in cooking . They are important in many branches of the modern food industry . </P> <P> The most commonly used bird eggs are those from the chicken . Duck and goose eggs, and smaller eggs, such as quail eggs, are occasionally used as a gourmet ingredient in western countries . Eggs are a common everyday food in many parts of Asia, such as China and Thailand, with Asian production providing 59% of the world total in 2013 . </P> <P> The largest bird eggs, from ostriches, tend to be used only as special luxury food . Gull eggs are considered a delicacy in England, as well as in some Scandinavian countries, particularly in Norway . In some African countries, guineafowl eggs are commonly seen in marketplaces, especially in the spring of each year . Pheasant eggs and emu eggs are edible, but less widely available . Sometimes they are obtainable from farmers, poulterers, or luxury grocery stores . In many countries, wild birds' eggs are protected by laws which prohibit collecting or selling them, or permit collection only during specific periods of the year . </P> <P> In 2013, world production of chicken eggs was 68.3 million tonnes . The largest four producers were China, contributing 24.8 million of this total, the United States at 5.6 million, India at 3.8 million and Japan at 2.5 million . A typical large egg plant ships a million dozen eggs a week . </P>

Where does the protein in eggs come from