Do you eat the parson's nose?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (357256)
Rockingham, Australia
July 1, 2025 8:05pm CST
We all have our favourite meat cuts and, when we have chicken, I like the thigh joint, just abovet the leg/drumstick. I also eat the ‘parson’s/Pope’s/sultan’s nose, which is what you can see in the photo.
Edit: I've just realised how gross that photo looks!! 
The parson’s nose, which is the name I know it by, is the fleshy protuberance on the bird’s tail. Its official name is the pygostyle. It’s the final few vertebrae fused together. The uropygial gland in the pygostyle produces oil that the bird uses to preen its feathers.
When I researched it, one site said to cut off the parson’s nose and discard it, as it can make the dish greasy or even bitter.
We’re about to leave in our motor-home so you may not see me for a few days. Take care and I’ll catch up when I get home.
The parson’s nose, which is the name I know it by, is the fleshy protuberance on the bird’s tail. Its official name is the pygostyle. It’s the final few vertebrae fused together. The uropygial gland in the pygostyle produces oil that the bird uses to preen its feathers.
When I researched it, one site said to cut off the parson’s nose and discard it, as it can make the dish greasy or even bitter.
We’re about to leave in our motor-home so you may not see me for a few days. Take care and I’ll catch up when I get home.23 people like this
25 responses
@celticeagle (176572)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jul
That looks like a slug. I've never seen anything like it.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (176572)
• Boise, Idaho
2h
@JudyEv .......I see. Don't recall ever seeing one although I have heard the term before.
It's just the tail.
@abhi_bangal (6526)
• Ahmednagar, India
7h
This would surely look yummy to people who enjoy non-veg.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (86560)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Jul
I have never eaten that but know people who love it,
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (45786)
•
2 Jul
That part of the chicken is loaded with fats. The only way I ever use it, is to put it in the pot when I make homemade chicken broth, for flavor. It's too rubbery to eat.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164499)
• United States
2 Jul
When I was very poor and married the first time I guess I bought the equivalent, but they were just sold as "turkey tails" and I used them to cook soups with. Maybe I only did it once, because, indeed, it made very greasy food. However it probably was also full of collagen.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (192147)
• United States
2 Jul
Well, as long as you like ithat is all that matters!
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (2784)
• United Kingdom
2 Jul
The only person I have ever known to eat the parsons nose was my Grandad....he loved it.
I think most folk cut it off and throw it away these days.
Enjoy your time away in your motor home.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (193298)
• United States
2 Jul
You're right. The picture does look gross! lololol Drive safely and have fun.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (148740)
• India
2 Jul
That is the tastiest part and we call it the pope's nose.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (91326)
• Bangalore, India
2 Jul
When I order chicken for my husband and daughters, I order a whole chicken in curry cut or biriani cut. I am not sure if they discard it or not. I have not seen any such piece while washing or marinating the chicken
I have not eaten it, as such I am vegetarian and would eat chicken or fish very rarely
1 person likes this
